Buffalo Nickel (Indian Head Nickel)

United States · 1913-1938

A classic United States five-cent piece 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
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 September 5, 2026More united states coins →

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Overview

A classic United States five-cent piece 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 aesthetically pleasing and authentically American coin designs ever produced, capturing the spirit of the American West.

Obverse (front)

Right-facing profile of a Native American composite figure, featuring feathers in braided hair, with the word 'LIBERTY' and the year of issue stamped along the right and lower right margins.

Reverse (back)

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

Estimated value

$1-$3 for heavily worn or dateless examples, $10-$50+ for well-preserved or key-date specimens

What drives this coin's value

Condition/grade, legibility of the date, mint mark, key dates (e.g., 1913-S Type 2, 1918/7-D overdate), and major errors.

Grade assessment

Good to Very Fine (worn details with visible design outlines, though exact date may be worn off common in dateless Buffalo nickels)

Mintage & rarity

Varies widely by year; overall series had massive mintages, but certain years (like the 1926-S or 1937-D 3-legged variety) are scarce

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Check for correct weight (5.0g), non-magnetic composition (copper-nickel alloy), and sharp details matching genuine mint dies. Most standard Buffalo nickels are not heavily counterfeited unless they are rare key dates.

Notable varieties & errors

1913 Type 1 vs Type 2 (raised ground vs line), 1918/7-D overdate, 1937-D '3-Legged' buffalo error

Similar coins

Jefferson Nickel (modern five-cent piece, completely different design), Shield Nickel and Liberty Head Nickel (preceding five-cent series)

Care & preservation

Handle by the edges with clean hands or cotton gloves. Do not clean, polish, or wash the coin, as this permanently damages the surface and severely reduces its numismatic value. Store in a cool, dry place inside inert coin holders or flips.