Obverse

Reverse

5 Cents ($0.05)

Buffalo Nickel (Indian Head Nickel)

United States of America · 1934

A classic American five-cent piece featuring a right-facing portrait of a Native American on the obverse and an American Bison on the reverse.

Country: United States of America
Year: 1934
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 July 14, 2026More united states of america coins →

Explore Buffalo Nickel (Indian Head Nickel) in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own coins.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Overview

A classic American five-cent piece featuring a right-facing portrait of a Native American on the obverse and an American Bison on the reverse.

Historical significance

Designed by James Earle Fraser and minted from 1913 to 1938, this coin replaced the Liberty Head nickel and was intended to beautify American coinage with uniquely 'American' motifs.

Obverse (front)

Right-facing profile of a Native American man, a composite of three different chiefs. The word 'LIBERTY' is positioned at the top right, and the date '1934' is at the bottom left on the shoulder.

Reverse (back)

An American Bison (buffalo), famously modeled after Black Diamond from the Central Park Zoo. Legends include 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA', 'E PLURIBUS UNUM', and 'FIVE CENTS'.

Estimated value

$1-$3 in Good to Fine condition; $15-$40 in Mint State grades.

What drives this coin's value

The primary value factors are the visibility of the date (which often wore off early in this series) and the overall detail remaining on the buffalo's horn and tail.

Grade assessment

Fine (Moderate wear seen on the Indian's hair and the buffalo's shoulder, but the date and legends are fully clear).

Mintage & rarity

20,280,000; relatively common for the series.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Check for proper weight (5.0g) and crispness of 'LIBERTY'. Counterfeits are rare for common dates like 1934 but can exist as 'cast' copies which look grainy.

Notable varieties & errors

The 1934-D and 1934-S mint marks are more valuable, but there are no major recognized errors for the 1934 Philadelphia issue.

Similar coins

Sometimes confused with modern 'Buffalo' silver bullion coins, but this is a much smaller, non-precious-metal circulation coin.

Care & preservation

Store in a PVC-free coin holder or flip to prevent 'PVC damage' (green residue). Avoid cleaning or polishing, as this significantly reduces the numismatic value. Handle by the edges only.

Other united states of america coins

See all

Reader's Digest Sweepstakes 25th Anniversary Coin (Token)

United States, Reader's Digest Association · 1987

No cash value (Promotional Token)

Washington Quarter (50 State Quarters Program / DC & Territories)

United States of America · Post-1999 (The specific reverse design is not visible, but this obverse design was used from 1999–2009 and 2021)

Quarter Dollar ($0.25)

Indian Head Cent

United States of America · 1899

One Cent ($0.01)

San Antonio Missions Quarter (America the Beautiful Quarters Series)

United States of America · 2019

0.25 USD (Quarter Dollar)

Indian Head Cent

United States · 1879

One Cent

Indian Head Cent

United States of America · 1906

One Cent ($0.01)