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A RARE 1916 Doubled Die Obverse Nickel recently sold at auction for a remarkable $28,200, capturing the attention of collectors and numismatists alike.
This Buffalo nickel, graded AU55 by the Professional Coin Grading Service and certified by the Certified Acceptance Corporation, stands out for a variety of reasons, including its bold detailing and unique historical significance.
What makes this 1916 nickel special is the prominent “doubled die” effect on the obverse (front) side, specifically visible on the date, according to Heritage Auctions.
The doubling, where the date appears twice in a slightly offset manner, is the coin’s defining feature.
This detail, often referred to as a “1916/16” due to the striking of the number “16” twice, was a rare minting error that went unnoticed for over 50 years, the auctioneer site shared.
Its scarcity and the difficulty of spotting it, especially after the coin entered circulation, make it incredibly valuable.
As Paul M. Green noted in Numismatic News, the date on Buffalo nickels was one of the first elements to wear away during circulation, per HA.
By the time collectors became aware of this variety in the 1950s, many of the nickels had lost their dates entirely.
This wear made it even more challenging to identify these prized coins.
However, the 1916/16 nickel that recently sold at auction avoided this fate, with the bold, doubled date still remarkably clear.
FEELING WISPY
While the bold doubling is the most eye-catching aspect, the condition of the coin also plays a significant role in its high value.
The nickel’s surfaces are primarily nickel-gray and olive-gold, with minimal signs of wear.
Although a few faint “wispy” parallel marks can be found on the portrait side, they are not easily visible to the naked eye.
These subtle imperfections do little to detract from the overall aesthetic, and the coin remains attractive even under closer inspection.
Graded AU55, which indicates that the coin has slight traces of wear but remains in “Almost Uncirculated” condition, this Buffalo nickel is among the finest known, per Heritage Auctions.
According to PCGS, only 20 examples have been graded AU55, with just 10 graded higher.
How coins are graded
Coins are graded on a scale of one to 70, with one being the poorest grade, and 70 being the most pristine example.
Numbers 60 to 70 are generally the most sought-after by collectors and are known as Mint State coins.
Pieces that fetch thousands at auction are commonly found in MS67, MS68, and MS69 conditions.
An MS-70 is near-impossible to find among older coins.
This makes the piece a rare find for collectors who prize both its rarity and its condition.
AUCTION APPEAL
The 1916 Doubled Die Obverse nickel holds a special place in U.S. numismatic history.
It represents a time when Buffalo nickels were in everyday use, and errors like the doubling of the date were not immediately caught by the US Mint.
Over time, these rare errors became treasures for collectors.
This particular coin was only briefly circulated before being pulled from commerce, preserving its features for decades.
Its auction at the Florida United Numismatists (FUN) Signature sale drew considerable interest, and its final price of $28,200 reflects both its historical significance and its condition.
For collectors, finding such a well-preserved example with the bold doubling still intact is like discovering a small piece of history — one that has stood the test of time.
This coin weighs 5 grams and consists of 75% copper and 25% nickel, adding to its lasting durability.
There are even more coins that might have value you don’t know about.
A quarter is worth $74,000 thanks to its pinkish/olive hues.
Plus, another silver coin has a date that makes it worth $660,000.
