The buffalo nickel is one of the most unique looking coins in the entire catalog produced by the U.S. Mint. On the obverse side is an intense and realistic portrait of a Native American. On the reverse side is a large buffalo imprinted with the words "5 cents." As with many other pieces of American currency from the time, the word "liberty" is featured prominently on the rim. These coins were produced between the years 1913 and 1938. However, production stopped on the nickel during the years 1932 and 1933, partially in response to the tragedy of the Great Depression. Denver, San Francisco, and Philadelphia mints all produced buffalo nickels (or "Indian head nickels," as they are sometimes called). Mint condition buffalo nickel proofs are quite rare--at least from before 1930. There are two types of buffalo nickels--Type I and Type II--which feature the buffalo in different poses. The later runs of the nickels, between the years 1930 and 1938, are far more common than the earlier versions. Watch out for certain rarities--the 1937 three legged nickel, the Type II 1930 D, the 1918/7-D overdate, and the Type II 1913S. However, the 2005 nickels feature an image of an American bison on the reverse side, and may come to be known as Type III buffalo nickels. Some original buffalo nickels remain in circulation to this day, which isn't surprising, as there were over one billion such coins produced. You can find the letter "F" featured on the coin. This is the initial of the coin's designer, James Earle Fraser, who was a renowned naturalist and philanthropist. After production on buffalo nickels halted, the U.S. Mint replaced the design with a picture of the third president, Thomas Jefferson. |
