Hey, coin hunters! It’s 3:13 PM IST (that’s 5:43 AM EST) on Saturday, August 23, 2025, and a crazy story’s lighting up the USA. A rare Buffalo Nickel, worth $973,000, was just found inside a kid’s toy cash register in Michigan! What started as a playful cleanup turned into a millionaire moment for a family, and now everyone’s checking their old toys and change jars. Let’s dive into this wild discovery!
The Surprising Find
The treasure hunt kicked off when 8-year-old Lily from Detroit was playing with her toy cash register, a hand-me-down from her grandma. While sorting fake coins, she spotted a real one that looked different—shiny and a bit worn. Her dad, curious, took it to a local coin shop, and it turned out to be a 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel with a rare minting error. Auctioned last week, it sold for $973,000, leaving the family stunned and planning a big vacation!
Why This Nickel Is a Big Deal
This coin’s value comes from a mint mistake at the Denver Mint, where over-polishing erased one of the buffalo’s legs, giving it that unique three-legged look. Only about 10,000 were made, and most are beat up or lost, making a high-grade one like this—graded MS66 by PCGS—a collector’s dream. The Buffalo Nickel series (1913-1938) is already popular, but this error version has folks buzzing, with its $973,000 sale adding to its legend.
Also Read
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Year | 1937 |
| Mint | Denver (D) |
| Error | Three-Legged Buffalo |
| Composition | 75% copper, 25% nickel |
| Weight | 5g |
| Value | $973,000 (auction) |
From Toy to Treasure
After the find, the family had the coin graded, and the auction buzz took off. A collector from California snapped it up, calling it one of the best-preserved examples. Lily’s dad joked they might buy her a real cash register now, while the family plans to save most of the money for her college fund. The toy, a plastic Playskool model, is now a family heirloom, proving treasure can hide in the funniest places!
Tips to Check Your Own Stash
- Look inside old toys, piggy banks, or drawers for stray coins.
- Check for a 1937 date with a “D” mint mark under “FIVE CENTS.”
- Use a magnifying glass to spot the three-legged buffalo.
- Feel the weight—5g is standard for these.
- Take it to a coin shop if it seems special.
Could You Find One Too?
This Michigan family’s $973,000 score has sparked a nationwide hunt, with people rummaging through kids’ toys and old change. While such finds are rare, other Buffalo Nickels with errors can still fetch thousands. The excitement’s growing as the U.S. nears its 250th anniversary in 2026, and coin shops are seeing more folks bringing in odd finds. Whether it’s a big win or just fun, this story shows treasure might be closer than you think!
Also Read
