Only 1 Graded Higher (and Barely so)

According to Lange’s The Complete Guide to Buffalo Nickels , the 1926-D is an elusive issue in Mint State grades, though not so rare as its background as a mint-marked 1920s issue might suggest, since a degree of hoarding took place in the years immediately following its release. Much of this hoarding took place after a delay in distribution for the pieces; while the earlier years of the Great Depression created a backup of coinage, including minor coinage, in bank vaults, increased prosperity in the later 1930s meant that roll quantities suddenly surfaced.
Lange also speculates that the population of ” … certified coins would likely be higher if not for the fact that the poor quality of most uncirculated 1926-D nickels discourages submissions.” Indicators of this poor quality that he notes include a weak strike (evident on the bison’s horn, often either flat or missing) and poor luster, which he terms “average or below average” in most cases, or with “subdued brilliance.”

Here is a very rare exception for this issue. The NGC population is 6 with only 1 (MS67+) example graded higher.

Listed at $54,000 in the CDN CPG and $35,000 in the NGC price guide.

Offered at $28,125