Numismatic

1937-D 3 Legged Buffalo Nickel VF-30 PCGS

---

The 1937 Denver Mint five-cent piece holds a legendary status among classic American coinage due to a dramatic and accidental design anomaly. While the obverse displays the detailed profile of a Native American chieftain, the reverse depicts an American bison standing upon a raised patch of earth. On this specific variety, the animal appears with only three legs, as its front right leg is completely missing. This unusual feature was not an intentional design change, but rather the result of an emergency repair. To fix damage caused by a die clash, workers at the mint heavily polished the metal die. In their effort to smooth out the surface, they inadvertently ground away the details of the bison's leg. The resulting coins entered circulation with the limb entirely obliterated, creating a celebrated variety that has fascinated observers for generations. This particular specimen is certified in Very Fine 30 (VF-30) condition, showing honest wear while clearly preserving the famous missing limb. The Denver 'D' mint mark is visible on the reverse, positioned beneath the denomination of five cents, while the word Liberty and the year 1937 remain clearly legible on the obverse.