A Hidden Treasure in a Jar
In May 2025, a surprising discovery changed the life of Ethan Miller, a 29-year-old carpenter from Cheyenne, Wyoming. While cleaning out his late grandfather’s old coin jar, Ethan found a worn Buffalo Nickel that caught his attention. Unlike other nickels, this one had no visible date. Curious, he took it to a coin dealer, who identified it as a rare 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel, an error coin from a minting mistake. This find sold at auction for $750,000, sparking excitement among coin collectors across the country.
What Makes This Nickel Special
The Buffalo Nickel, minted from 1913 to 1938, features a Native American on the front and a buffalo on the back. The 1918/7-D error happened at the Denver Mint when a die from 1917 was reused in 1918, creating a coin with a blended “8 over 7” in the date. Over time, many of these coins lost their dates due to wear, making them hard to spot. Only a few dozen are known to exist, and their rarity drives their value, especially if the error is clear and the coin is in decent shape.
| Feature | Normal Buffalo Nickel | 1918/7-D Error Nickel |
|---|---|---|
| Date | Clear single year | 1918 over 1917 |
| Value | 5 cents to a few dollars | Up to $750,000 |
From Jar to Jackpot
Ethan’s nickel was sent to a professional grading service, which confirmed it was a genuine 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel. Despite its worn condition, the faint “8 over 7” error was visible under magnification, making it valuable. News of the find spread quickly on platforms like X, drawing interest from collectors. In July 2025, the coin sold at an auction in Chicago for $750,000 to a private collector. This sale, reported by numismatic journals, has inspired people to check old coin collections for hidden gems.
How to Spot a 1918/7-D Nickel
Finding a Buffalo Nickel like Ethan’s is rare, but it’s worth checking your coins. Here’s how:
- Look for no date: Worn Buffalo Nickels might be error coins.
- Check the mint mark: A “D” under the buffalo means it’s from Denver.
- Examine the date area: Use a magnifying glass to spot an “8 over 7.”
- Assess the condition: Even worn coins can be valuable if the error is clear.
- Get it checked: A coin expert can confirm if it’s the real deal.
| Step | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Check for no date | Worn dates could hide the 1918/7 error |
| Verify mint mark | Only Denver coins have this error |
Why Collectors Love It
Coin collectors chase error coins like the 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel because they’re so uncommon. The minting mistake, combined with the coin’s iconic design, makes it a treasure. Many of these nickels were used in circulation, so finding one with the error still visible is a big deal. Ethan’s coin, though worn, was a rare find that excited the collecting community. Stories like his, shared widely online, have people digging through old jars and piggy banks, hoping to find their own valuable nickel.
A Reminder to Look Closely
Ethan’s discovery shows that treasures can hide in unexpected places. A nickel from his grandfather’s jar, worth just 5 cents at face value, turned into $750,000 because of a tiny minting error. His story reminds us to pay attention to the coins we overlook every day. Whether you’re sorting through old change or inheriting a collection, take a moment to check your Buffalo Nickels. With a magnifying glass and a little luck, you might uncover a fortune.
