Buffalo Nickel (1913-1938)

Among the most well-known coins in American history, the Buffalo Nickel—often known as the Indian Head Nickel—was made by the United States Mint between 1913 and 1938. This five-cent piece is a singular combination of exquisite design and cultural value. The background, design, and legacy of this well-known coin will be covered in this report.

The Origin

The Buffalo Nickel was put on public release on March 4, 1913. With almost every American expressing their excitement for the nickel, its striking design quickly became the focus of attention in the United States. Ultimately, this was one of the first times US coins had artwork faithfully reflecting the history of the United States.

The Design

• The front side displays the profile of a Native American chief, who is looking to the right. The word "LIBERTY" is written in lowercase letters in the upper right corner, while the date is printed in the lower left corner.
• On the other side, a bison is standing on top of a tall hill. The text "FIVE CENTS" is located below the bison, while the phrases "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "E PLURIBUS UNUM" are located above it.

As Items for Collection

Buffalo Nickels are still a popular option among coin collectors because they are historically and artistically significant. Coin collectors are always on the lookout for coins that are in great condition or that have rare variants. There are two factors that you need to think about when determining the value of a Buffalo Nickel: its age and its condition. Of course, the older the Buffalo Nickel, the more valuable it is, but age alone does not determine its worth. If you have a Buffalo Nickel that was made within the first few years and is in excellent condition, you have a Buffalo Nickel that is worth a lot of money.

Important Dates

The Buffalo Nickel changed and created important variations over its 25-year history:

• 1913 Type 1 and Type 2: The Type 1 had a bison on top of a hill. Type 2 was established in 1913, and the bison was depicted standing on a level line to preserve the text.
• 1916/1917 Doubled Die: Collectors are fond of these rare error coins since they are double the date and other information.
• 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo: One of the buffalo's legs was removed due to excessive cleaning of the die, resulting in one of the most famous error coins.