Buffalo nickel

Buffalo nickel. The Buffalo nickel is an iconic United States coin that was minted from 1913 to 1938, succeeding the Liberty Head nickel. Designed by sculptor James Earle Fraser, it is celebrated for its distinctly American themes, featuring a composite portrait of a Native American on the obverse and an American bison on the reverse. Its artistic merit and historical significance have made it a perennial favorite among numismatists and a symbol of the American West.

Design and specifications

The obverse design depicts a right-facing profile of a Native American man, which Fraser stated was a composite portrait inspired by several individuals, including chiefs Iron Tail, Two Moons, and John Big Tree. The reverse features a powerful image of an American bison, modeled after a bison named Black Diamond that resided in the Central Park Zoo in New York City. The coin's specifications, as dictated by the United States Mint, include a diameter of 21.2 millimeters, a mass of 5.000 grams, and a composition of 75% copper and 25% nickel. Initial design elements, such as the bison standing on a raised mound, caused excessive wear on the denomination text, prompting a mid-1913 modification by the Mint Engraver's office.

History and production

The coin was introduced during the administration of President William Howard Taft, following a movement to beautify American coinage led by President Theodore Roosevelt. The United States Mint officially released the new design in February 1913, replacing the Charles E. Barber-designed Liberty Head nickel. Production occurred primarily at the Philadelphia Mint, San Francisco Mint, and Denver Mint throughout its run, which was interrupted by the Great Depression and the subsequent shift in public demand for coinage. The final year of regular issue was 1938, after which it was replaced by the Thomas Jefferson-themed Jefferson nickel designed by Felix Schlag.

Varieties and mint marks

Two major varieties exist for the first year of issue, distinguished by the reverse design. The "Type I" variety, minted only in early 1913, shows the bison on a raised mound, with the denomination "FIVE CENTS" inscribed in a recessed area below. The "Type II" variety, created to address wear issues, features a recessed flat plain below the bison, with the denomination on a protected ledge. Mint marks for coins struck at the Denver Mint ("D") and San Francisco Mint ("S") are located on the reverse, below the words "FIVE CENTS". The Philadelphia Mint issues carry no mint mark. Notable scarce dates include the 1913-S Type II, the 1914-D, the 1915-S, the 1921-S, the 1924-S, the 1926-S, and the 1937-D "Three-Legged" variety, created by an over-polished die at the Denver Mint.

Collecting and value

The series is highly collectible, with values ranging from a few dollars for common dates in circulated grades to hundreds of thousands for top-condition rarities. Key factors affecting value include date, mint mark, variety, and grade as assessed by services like PCGS or NGC. The legendary 1913 Liberty Head nickel is a separate rarity, but within this series, the 1937-D "Three-Legged" buffalo and the full-date 1918/7-D overdate are among the most famous and valuable errors. A complete set is a celebrated goal for many collectors, often pursued through avenues like the American Numismatic Association. Category:Coins of the United States Category:Nickel (United States coin)