Buffalo Nickel (Indian Head Nickel)
Country of Origin: United States
Year of Issue: 1913-1938 (Date worn off)
Denomination: Five Cents
Composition: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Brief Description
A heavily worn United States five-cent piece featuring a Native American profile on the obverse and an American bison on the reverse.
Historical Significance
Designed by James Earle Fraser, this coin was part of a movement to beautify American coinage. It is iconic for its distinctly American themes, though the design was prone to wear, specifically on the date and the bison's shoulder.
Estimated Value
$0.25 - $1.00 for dateless worn specimens; $2 - $50+ for coins with clear dates depending on year and mint mark.
Care Instructions
Do not clean or polish the coin, as this destroys numismatic value. Store in a PVC-free flip or an acid-free paper envelope in a dry environment.
Mint Mark
None/D/S (Not visible due to wear; location is below 'FIVE CENTS' on the reverse)
Mintage & Rarity
Common for the series, but 'dateless' coins are considered 'culls' or low-grade bulk items.
Weight & Diameter
5.0 grams / 21.2 mm
Edge
Plain
Apparent Grade
About Good (AG-3) or 'Dateless / Poor' due to the heavy wear that has erased the date and significant detail.
Obverse (Front)
A right-facing profile of a Native American man, with the word 'LIBERTY' at the right. The date, normally at the bottom left on the shoulder, is completely worn away.
Reverse (Back)
An American bison (buffalo) facing left. Legends: 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA', 'E PLURIBUS UNUM', and 'FIVE CENTS'. This is the Type 2 reverse with the buffalo on a flat line (ground).
What Drives This Coin's Value
The most significant factor for this specific coin is the lack of a date. Collectors value coins with readable dates, specific mint marks (like 1913-S Type 2), and higher states of preservation.
Similar Coins
Often confused with modern Native American Dollars or the 2005 Westward Journey 'Bison' Nickel. These are easily distinguished by size and modern dates.
Authenticity & Counterfeit Red Flags
Dateless Buffalo nickels are rarely counterfeited due to low value, but 'date-restoring' chemicals (acid) are sometimes used, which leaves a dark etched mark on the shoulder.
Notable Varieties & Errors
Famous varieties include the 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo and the 1918/7-D overdate. Neither can be identified on a dateless coin.
Created At: 2026-06-21T23:21:12.739738