In the ever-surprising world of rare coins, one unassuming Buffalo Nickel has stunned both collectors and the public with its journey—from a casual pizza purchase to a six-figure display piece in a major U.S. museum.
A Pizza Night with Hidden Value
It all began in 2007 when a teenager in Pennsylvania paid for a late-night pizza with a handful of loose change, unknowingly handing over what would later become a national numismatic sensation. Among the quarters, dimes, and pennies was a worn Buffalo Nickel—an iconic coin originally minted between 1913 and 1938.
The coin, unnoticed by the delivery driver, eventually made its way into the local circulation pool. That might have been the end of its story—until it ended up in the cash drawer of a small coin shop two weeks later.
A Collector’s Eye Changes Everything
The coin shop owner, who had been sorting through daily change, instantly noticed something odd about this particular nickel. Its date was faint, but certain details jumped out: the unique placement of the buffalo, a visible overdate, and faint doubling on the reverse.
After a closer look and some research, it became clear—the coin was a rare 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel, a key error coin known for a dramatic overdate (where a 1918 date was struck over a 1917 die). With fewer than 200 known examples in decent condition, it’s one of the most sought-after coins in the Buffalo Nickel series.
The Auction That Shocked the Coin World
In 2024, after changing hands among a few private collectors, the nickel found its way to an auction hosted by Stack’s Bowers Galleries. Despite its visibly circulated condition, intense bidding ensued. Enthusiasts and institutions alike were eager to add the historic coin to their collections.
When the gavel fell, the final price stunned everyone: $601,000.
Experts say the high price wasn’t just due to the rarity of the coin itself, but the compelling story attached to it. A coin used to pay for a pizza becoming a six-figure auction star? That’s the kind of lore collectors crave.
Now a Museum Centerpiece
Following the sale, the new owner—an anonymous donor—loaned the coin to the American Numismatic Museum in Colorado Springs, where it now resides in a secure, climate-controlled exhibit. The museum proudly displays the nickel with a note describing its unlikely origins and recent sale price.
Visitors gather to marvel not only at the coin’s numismatic significance but also at the sheer randomness of its journey. The display has quickly become one of the museum’s most talked-about exhibits.
Why It Captures So Many Imaginations
Buffalo Nickels have always held a special place in American culture. Their rugged, wild-west design featuring a Native American profile on one side and an American bison on the other evokes a sense of national pride and nostalgia.
But coins like the 1918/7-D overdate remind us that value can hide in plain sight. In this case, that meant sitting unnoticed in someone’s change jar—or tossed on a counter for a $15 pizza.
Also, read: $875,000 Susan B. Anthony Dollar Found in a Family Coin Jar
Final Thoughts
This story underscores the hidden wealth that might be circulating in America’s pockets, piggy banks, and junk drawers. While not everyone will stumble upon a six-figure coin, the tale of the Buffalo Nickel that once paid for a slice of pepperoni pizza reminds us that history often hides in the everyday.
So next time you’re about to spend that old nickel, take a closer look—you never know what treasure you’re holding.
Did You Know?
- The 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel is one of the most famous overdate errors in U.S. coinage history.
- Only a few dozen examples are believed to exist in higher grades.
- It’s not uncommon for valuable coins to be discovered in circulation, estate sales, or even old furniture.
Would you like a follow-up article on how to check your Buffalo Nickels for rare features?
