Buffalo Nickel (Indian Head Nickel)

United States of America · 1913-1938 (Date worn off)

A heavily worn United States five-cent piece featuring the profile of a Native American on the obverse and an American Bison on the reverse. Notable for a puncture hole at the 10 o'clock position.

Country: United States of America
Year: 1913-1938 (Date worn off)
Denomination: 5 Cents ($0.05)
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 8, 2026More united states of america coins →

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Overview

A heavily worn United States five-cent piece featuring the profile of a Native American on the obverse and an American Bison on the reverse. Notable for a puncture hole at the 10 o'clock position.

Historical significance

Designed by James Earle Fraser, the Buffalo Nickel is an iconic American coin meant to capture the spirit of the American West. It was minted during a transition toward more artistic coinage in the U.S.

Obverse (front)

Rightward-facing profile of a Native American man, modeled after three different individuals. The date usually appears on the shoulder but is completely worn away here. 'LIBERTY' is typically at the 1-2 o'clock position.

Reverse (back)

An American Bison (often called a buffalo) standing on a mound. 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' and 'E PLURIBUS UNUM' above. 'FIVE CENTS' below. This is the 'Type 2' variety where the ground is a line/recessed area.

Estimated value

$0.05 - $0.25 (Cull/Damaged). Generally, worn Buffalo nickels with no dates are worth very little above face value. The hole ('holed') and extreme wear further reduce value to 'cull' status.

What drives this coin's value

Date, mint mark, and condition. Key dates like 1913-S Var 2 or 1921-S are valuable, but non-readable dates are essentially bulk items. Holes significantly decrease numismatic value.

Grade assessment

Poor-1 / Cull (Damaged). The coin is heavily worn (G-4 or less) and is holed, which is a major environmental damage defect.

Mintage & rarity

Common (Hundreds of millions minted across the series). Without a date, it is considered a common 'filler' or 'cull' coin.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Check for weight and 'mushy' details. Counterfeits mainly exist for key dates like the 1937-D 3-legged variety. For a dateless specimen, authenticity is rarely an issue due to low value.

Notable varieties & errors

1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo, 1918/7-D overdate, and 1916 Doubled Die Obverse.

Similar coins

1913 Type 1 Buffalo Nickel (which has the bison on a raised mound) and the 2005 Westward Journey Buffalo Nickel (a modern tribute).

Care & preservation

Avoid chemical cleaning, especially 'Nic-A-Date' unless necessary for identification, as it damages the surface. Store in a dry place. Handle by the edges, although this specific specimen is already heavily damaged.