At the turn of the 20th century, the United States Mint sought to replace the Liberty Nickel, which had been in circulation since 1883. The Mint invited various sculptors to submit designs for a new nickel coin. James Earle Fraser, an accomplished American sculptor, was selected for his remarkable design.
The Buffalo Nickel features a composite design that combines elements from different Native American tribes. The obverse (front) of the coin depicts the profile of a Native American man, believed to be a composite image inspired by three different Native American chiefs: Two Moons of the Cheyenne, Iron Tail of the Lakota Sioux, and Big Tree of the Seneca Nation. The word "LIBERTY" is inscribed at the top, and the year of minting is shown below the neck.
The reverse (back) of the coin showcases an American bison (often mistakenly referred to as a buffalo) standing on a mound. The bison depicted on the coin is rumored to be modeled after "Black Diamond," a bison living in the New York Central Park Zoo at the time. Surrounding the image are the inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM" (Latin for "Out of Many, One"), and the denomination "FIVE CENTS."
The Buffalo Nickel was minted in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. The coins produced in Philadelphia (lacking a mintmark) were the most common, while those from the Denver and San Francisco mints carried a "D" and "S" mintmark, respectively.
There were three distinct variations of the design during its production. The first version, minted from 1913 to 1938, featured the denomination on a raised mound, which caused excessive wear on the date and other details. In 1913, an error occurred during the minting process, resulting in some coins displaying the words "FIVE CENTS" on the mound, leading to their classification as "Type 2" Buffalo Nickels. In 1938, the design was modified to recess the denomination below the mound, creating the "Type 2" Buffalo Nickel.
The Buffalo Nickel holds significant historical and cultural value. It symbolizes the spirit of the American West, capturing the essence of Native American culture and the nation's connection to the bison. The coin's popularity among collectors and numismatists has remained strong over the years. Many people appreciate the Buffalo Nickel's artistic appeal, historical context, and the challenges associated with collecting a complete set due to the various mint marks and design variations.
While the Buffalo Nickel is no longer in circulation, it remains a cherished part of American numismatic history and is sought after by coin enthusiasts and collectors around the world.
Key Dates
1913-S Type 2: This is considered one of the most famous key dates in the series. It is the first year of production for the Buffalo Nickel, and the Type 2 variety features the words "FIVE CENTS" on a raised mound, making it distinct from the regular Type 1 variety. The 1913-S Type 2 has a relatively low mintage, making it highly valuable.
1914-D: The 1914-D Buffalo Nickel is another key date in the series. It was minted in Denver and has a lower mintage compared to other years, particularly in the higher grades. The scarcity of this coin contributes to its desirability among collectors.
1916-D: The 1916-D Buffalo Nickel is known for its low mintage, making it a highly sought-after coin. It was minted in Denver and is considered one of the scarcest dates in the series. Finding this coin in higher grades can be quite challenging.
1921-S: The 1921-S Buffalo Nickel is another key date with a relatively low mintage. I
1924-S: The 1924-S Buffalo Nickel is sought after due to its low mintage and the overall scarcity of higher-grade specimens. This coin was minted in San Francisco and is considered one of the more challenging dates to find in top condition.
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