Gail K. writes: I’ve found a 1936 Indian Head nickel. I know it isn’t worth much (which I found out by searching your site!), but I was wondering if I should look for any distinguishing characteristics that might make it more valuable. Any information you can provide would be great! Thanks!
There are two varieties that are worth looking for:
- 1936-D Polished reverse die – This is similar to the 1937 3 leg buffalo but the right front leg is only partially polished off the die. This has developed considerable interest recently but the die variety seems to be very rare. Only twenty are currently known to exist. There should be more out there to find.
- 1936-D with a repunched mint mark – Many collectors forget that mint marks were punched into the working dies by hand. Someone, probably bleary eyed from a weekend of partying, punched this mint mark in twice. The second punch is considerably to the right of the first. This seems to be fairly easy to find and brings far more than a common circulated normal example.
