The Buffalo Nickel made its debut in 1913 when the United States Mint ended production of the Liberty Head nickel, which had been struck since 1883. Created by sculptor James Earle Fraser, the coin marked a significant shift in American coin design by focusing on Native American imagery instead of traditional European-inspired themes. This 1913 Buffalo Nickel features the original Type I reverse with a satin luster and golden-brown toning. Now, the 1913 Buffalo Nickel is available online from JM Bullion.
Coin Highlights:
This 1913 Buffalo Nickel is an early Type I specimen with a Mint State 66 grade. Coins in this condition have above-average visual appeal with no more than three of four minor contact marks and no hairlines visible without the aid of magnification. This coin has a reverse field that is largely untoned and visually brilliant, with overall surfaces that retain a soft, original copper glow. This coin is a stunning example of the short-lived Type I coin in the series.
On the obverse of the 1913 Buffalo Nickel is a right-facing profile portrait of a Native American leader, shown with braided hair and feathers. Fraser stated that the image was a combination of features from three individuals he had met—Iron Tail, Two Moons, and John Big Tree—though historians continue to discuss the accuracy of this claim. The inscription “LIBERTY” is placed to the left of the portrait, while the date appears beneath it.
The reverse of the 1913 Buffalo Nickel depicts an American bison standing atop a raised mound, symbolizing the wildlife native to the western United States. Fraser based this design on Black Diamond, a bison that lived at the Central Park Zoo in New York City. Along the bottom rim is the denomination “FIVE CENTS,” with “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” completing the inscriptions.
The 1913 Buffalo Nickel Type 1 from the Philadelphia Mint represents the original release of James Earle Fraser’s groundbreaking design, struck without a mint mark to indicate its production at the main facility. The Philadelphia Mint produced millions of these coins in the early months of 1913 before design flaws necessitated modifications. Today, collectors value these initial strikes for their historical significance as the very first examples of what would become one of America’s most beloved coin designs.
JM Bullion customer service is available at 800-276-6508 to help you with historic US copper coins. Our team is available online as well through our web chat and email address.
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The Buffalo Nickel made its debut in 1913 when the United States Mint ended production of the Liberty Head nickel, which had been struck since 1883. Created by sculptor James Earle Fraser, the coin marked a significant shift in American coin design by focusing on Native American imagery instead of traditional European-inspired themes. This 1913 Buffalo Nickel features the original Type I reverse with a satin luster and golden-brown toning. Now, the 1913 Buffalo Nickel is available online from JM Bullion.
Coin Highlights:
This 1913 Buffalo Nickel is an early Type I specimen with a Mint State 66 grade. Coins in this condition have above-average visual appeal with no more than three of four minor contact marks and no hairlines visible without the aid of magnification. This coin has a reverse field that is largely untoned and visually brilliant, with overall surfaces that retain a soft, original copper glow. This coin is a stunning example of the short-lived Type I coin in the series.
On the obverse of the 1913 Buffalo Nickel is a right-facing profile portrait of a Native American leader, shown with braided hair and feathers. Fraser stated that the image was a combination of features from three individuals he had met—Iron Tail, Two Moons, and John Big Tree—though historians continue to discuss the accuracy of this claim. The inscription “LIBERTY” is placed to the left of the portrait, while the date appears beneath it.
The reverse of the 1913 Buffalo Nickel depicts an American bison standing atop a raised mound, symbolizing the wildlife native to the western United States. Fraser based this design on Black Diamond, a bison that lived at the Central Park Zoo in New York City. Along the bottom rim is the denomination “FIVE CENTS,” with “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” completing the inscriptions.
The 1913 Buffalo Nickel Type 1 from the Philadelphia Mint represents the original release of James Earle Fraser’s groundbreaking design, struck without a mint mark to indicate its production at the main facility. The Philadelphia Mint produced millions of these coins in the early months of 1913 before design flaws necessitated modifications. Today, collectors value these initial strikes for their historical significance as the very first examples of what would become one of America’s most beloved coin designs.
JM Bullion customer service is available at 800-276-6508 to help you with historic US copper coins. Our team is available online as well through our web chat and email address.