Buffalo Nickel (Indian Head Nickel)

United States · 1913-1938

A classic United States nickel featuring the profile of a Native American on the obverse and an American bison on the reverse.

Country: United States
Year: 1913-1938
Denomination: 5 Cents (One Nickel)
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 August 17, 2026More united states coins →

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Overview

A classic United States nickel featuring the profile of a Native American on the obverse and an American bison on the reverse.

Historical significance

Designed by renowned sculptor James Earle Fraser, the Buffalo Nickel is celebrated as one of the most artistic and distinctively American coin designs ever produced, capturing the spirit of the American West.

Obverse (front)

Right-facing composite portrait of a Native American chief, with the word 'LIBERTY' in the upper right and the year of issue in the lower left.

Reverse (back)

An American bison (buffalo) standing on a mound facing left, with the inscriptions 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' and 'E PLURIBUS UNUM' above, and 'FIVE CENTS' in the exergue below.

Estimated value

$1-$3 for worn/dateless circulated specimens, $10-$50+ for well-preserved common dates with full dates, and significantly more for key dates or high mint state grades.

What drives this coin's value

Presence of a legible date, mint mark, overall wear/grade, and scarcity of specific year and mint combinations.

Grade assessment

About Good to Good (AG-3 to G-4), showing heavy wear with the date partially worn off or faint, typical of circulated vintage nickels.

Mintage & rarity

Varies widely by year; millions minted annually for most years, but notable key dates include the 1913-S Type 2, 1926-S, and the famous 1937-D 3-Legged variety.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Check for correct weight, diameter, and magnetic properties. Counterfeits are relatively rare for common dates due to the low face value, but beware of altered dates or fake mint marks on key dates.

Notable varieties & errors

1913 Type 1 vs Type 2, 1916/16 Doubled Die Obverse, 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo, and various repunched mint marks.

Similar coins

Jefferson Nickel, Shield Nickel, Liberty Head Nickel

Care & preservation

Handle by the edges using clean cotton gloves. Never clean the coin, as harsh cleaning destroys its original surface and dramatically reduces its numismatic value. Store in inert holders or a cool, dry environment.