Buffalo Nickel (Indian Head Nickel)

United States · 1913-1938 (Date worn off)

A heavily worn United States five-cent piece featuring a Native American profile on the obverse and an American bison on the reverse.

Country: United States
Year: 1913-1938 (Date worn off)
Denomination: Five Cents
Metal: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel

This report is AI-generated and can be wrong. Always verify grade, authenticity, and value with a qualified dealer or certified grading service before buying, selling, or insuring.

Identified June 21, 2026More united states coins →

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Overview

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.

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).

Estimated value

$0.25 - $1.00 for dateless worn specimens; $2 - $50+ for coins with clear dates depending on year and mint mark.

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.

Grade assessment

About Good (AG-3) or 'Dateless / Poor' due to the heavy wear that has erased the date and significant detail.

Mintage & rarity

Common for the series, but 'dateless' coins are considered 'culls' or low-grade bulk items.

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.

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.