Buffalo Nickel (Indian Head Nickel)

United States of America · 1935

A copper-nickel five-cent piece featuring a Native American profile and an American Bison, dated 1935 with an S mint mark.

Country: United States of America
Year: 1935
Denomination: Five Cents (5¢)
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 May 17, 2026More united states of america coins →

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Overview

A copper-nickel five-cent piece featuring a Native American profile and an American Bison, dated 1935 with an S mint mark.

Historical significance

Designed by James Earle Fraser and minted from 1913 to 1938, this coin is celebrated for its quintessential American imagery. It reflects a move away from classical European designs toward distinctly North American subjects.

Obverse (front)

Right-facing profile of a Native American man, which Fraser stated was a composite of several individuals. Includes the word LIBERTY and the date 1935.

Reverse (back)

American Bison (buffalo) facing left, standing on a mound. Legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and E PLURIBUS UNUM above, FIVE CENTS and mint mark below.

Estimated value

$1 - $5 circulated, $25 - $150 in Mint State grades (MS-60 to MS-65)

What drives this coin's value

Mint mark (S), visibility of the date (which often wore off this series), and overall absence of heavy scratches or cleaning.

Grade assessment

Good (G) to Very Good (VG). The date is clear, but the buffalo's horn and the Native American's hair detail show significant wear.

Mintage & rarity

10,300,000; relatively common for the series but less common than the Philadelphia strike of the same year

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Check for the weight (5g) and clarity of the mint mark. Look for 're-punched' mint marks or added mint marks, which are common alterations.

Notable varieties & errors

The 1935-S does not have major widely recognized varieties like the 1937-D '3-Legged' buffalo, though minor die cracks are common.

Similar coins

The 2005 Westward Journey 'Bison' nickel and the Gold American Buffalo bullion coin are modern tributes that share similar imagery.

Care & preservation

Do not clean the coin as this destroys its numismatic value. Store in a PVC-free plastic holder or flip to prevent surface scratches and environmental damage.