The 1917-S Buffalo nickel is one of the toughest of the early S-mint Buffalo nickels, with fewer than 5,000 known in any grade. Of course, scarcity is usually the case with early mintmarked Buffalo nickels, but this is especially the case with the 1917-S, which is quite difficult to locate in the Gem grades and rare in MS67, with none certified that high by PCGS and only 1 slabbed at the grade by NGC. Examples are generally well struck and many Mint State pieces exhibit frosty luster.