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Westland ExchangeC & L Exchange
Since 1987·4.8★ 332 Google Reviews·Licensed & Bonded Michigan Pawnbroker·Family Owned·C & L Exchange

Coins & Collectibles

Sell Buffalo & War Nickels in Metro Detroit — Paid Today at Westland Exchange

Buffalo nickels (1913–1938) are a collector favorite, and the 1942–1945 'war nickels' are the odd ones out in American coinage — 35% silver, made when nickel went to the war effort. Most people cash war nickels as face value without realizing they're silver.

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Today's silver payouts for buffalo & war nickels

  • 90% silver coinCall for today's price
  • Sterling silver (.925)Call for today's price
  • Fine silver (.999)Call for today's price

Prices update daily. Final offer confirmed in store after testing and weighing.

What decides what we pay for buffalo & war nickels

  1. 1War nickels (1942–45, large mint mark over Monticello) at 35% silver
  2. 2Buffalo key dates: 1913-S Type 2, 1921-S, 1926-S, and the 1937-D three-legged variety
  3. 3Readable dates — many Buffalos are worn smooth and worth little
  4. 4Grade and original surfaces

When you bring buffalo & war nickels to our counter at 27842 W. Warren Ave in Westland, the first thing we do is establish exactly what it is. Nothing is quoted from across the room and nothing is quoted from a photograph. We work at the counter with you standing there, and we explain each step as we go — what we are testing, what the test told us, and what it means for the number we are about to write down.

The single biggest factor on buffalo & war nickels is war nickels (1942–45, large mint mark over monticello) at 35% silver. After that comes buffalo key dates: 1913-s type 2, 1921-s, 1926-s, and the 1937-d three-legged variety, and at the far end of the list sits grade and original surfaces — the part most sellers never hear about anywhere else, because most buyers would rather pay a flat rate and move you along. We would rather show our work, because customers who understand the offer come back, and this shop has run on repeat customers since 1987.

What buffalo & war nickels typically weighs

Typical weights and sizes

A roll of 40 war nickels holds roughly 1.4 troy ounces of silver. A 1937-D three-legged Buffalo is worth hundreds to thousands depending on grade.

A roll of 40 war nickels holds roughly 1.4 troy ounces of silver. A 1937-D three-legged Buffalo is worth hundreds to thousands depending on grade. That range is why we ask you to bring everything rather than picking out the pieces you assume are best. The item that looks least impressive in the drawer is frequently the one carrying the most value, and sorting it out costs you nothing.

How to spot it

Where to look for the marks

War nickels carry a large P, D or S above the Monticello dome on the reverse — the only US coins to use a large 'P' mint mark at the time.

What to bring

  • Valid state ID
  • All coins, including partial rolls and loose silver
  • Any certification slabs, albums or inventory lists

There is never any obligation. We will test buffalo & war nickels, tell you the number, and hand it straight back if you would rather think about it, shop the offer around, or keep it. Plenty of people do exactly that and come back a week later — that is completely fine, and you will get the same welcome the second time.

Sell it outright

Coin collections are often pawned rather than sold — you get the liquidity without breaking up a set you spent years building.

We are open monday – friday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM and saturday 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, with free parking right at the door and no appointment needed. If you would like a sense of the number before you drive over, call (734) 425-0450 and describe what you have, or send photos through the quote form and we will come back to you the same day.

Or pawn it and keep it

If you would rather not part with it permanently, a pawn loan on buffalo & war nickels gives you cash today while the item stays tagged and insured in our vault. No credit check, nothing reported to any bureau, and the item comes back the moment the loan is repaid. We will lay out both numbers — the outright offer and the loan amount — and let you choose.

Pawn buffalo & war nickels instead

4.8★ from 332 Google reviews

Neighbors have been saying it since 1987.

★★★★★
“Best Prices around, bought my gold for the best price, go see Mike and Randi!”
Mark Hosking · Google · 3 weeks ago
★★★★★
“Great prices and great deals will give you the best pricing on gold compared to most”
andrew murad · Google · a month ago
★★★★★
“Gave me the best price on my gold and treated me like family, highly recommend C&L”
randi kakoz · Google · 4 weeks ago

FAQ

Buffalo & War Nickels questions, answered.

How do I spot a silver war nickel?+

Look for a large mint mark letter above the dome of Monticello on the back, on coins dated 1942 through 1945. That large letter means 35% silver.

My Buffalo nickels have no visible date. Are they worth anything?+

Dateless Buffalos have minimal collector value, but we still buy them in bulk. Bring them along with the rest.

What's the three-legged Buffalo nickel?+

A 1937-D variety where a die polishing error removed one of the buffalo's front legs. It's a genuine rarity and also commonly faked, so we authenticate before quoting.

Find out what your buffalo & war nickels is worth today.

We beat any gold price in Metro Detroit. Instant cash. No credit check.

Call (734) 425-0450

27842 W. Warren Ave, Westland, MI 48185 · Walk-ins welcome

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