The Buffalo Nickel, sometimes referred to as the Indian Head Nickel, was minted from 1913 to 1938. Celebrated for its iconic design, the Buffalo Nickel was created to be a uniquely American coin, portraying an American bison on the reverse and a Native American Chief on the obverse.
Renowned sculptor James Earle Fraser intended for his designs to be uniquely American, showcasing icons of our nation on circulating coinage. The obverse features a proud profile of a fictional Native American Chief, who was based on three of the most prominent tribal leaders in history. The reverse depicts the American bison, often called a buffalo. Prior to the Buffalo Nickel coin, the Liberty Head Nickel was struck from 1883 to 1913, and before that was the Shield Nickel from 1866 to 1883.
There are two main varieties of Buffalo Nickel. The Type 1, or Raised Mound variety, was struck for only one year in 1913 and depicts the denomination “FIVE CENTS” on a raised mound beneath the Buffalo on the reverse. As the Buffalo Nickel was regularly spent in day-to-day transactions, the words “FIVE CENTS” quickly wore away in circulation. The Type 2, or Flat Ground variety, removed the raised mount, protecting the denomination from wear.
Buffalo Nickel coins were struck from a copper-nickel alloy at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints. Proof issues were also struck specifically for collectors as Matte Proofs from 1913 to 1916. Proof Nickels were then discontinued until the Jefferson Nickel series.
Adding Buffalo Nickels to Your Collection
As Buffalo Nickels feature the most uniquely American design on U.S. coinage, they are highly sought-after by all types of collectors for their numismatic value. Key dates to look out for include the 1913 Type 1, the 1914-D, the 1916 Double Die Reverse, and the 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo.
At Rare Collectibles TV, we offer a hand-picked selection of Buffalo Nickels, that have been certified by the leading third-party grading services in the country, NGC and PCGS. These Buffalo Nickel coins offer collectors a tangible connection to early 20th-century America and an opportunity to own a piece of America's cultural and numismatic heritage.
