Buffalo Nickels (1913-1938)

1913 Buffalo Nickel: A Bold Redesign in American Coinage (1913-1938)

In 1913, the long-standing Liberty Head nickel, first introduced in 1883, was replaced by James E. Fraser's Buffalo (Indian) nickel. The obverse features a portrait of a Native American, modeled from three Indian figures, while the reverse showcases a bison, popularly known as a "buffalo," from the Bronx Zoo.

Initially, the reverse showed the bison standing on a raised mound with FIVE CENTS inscribed, but due to rapid wear in this area, the design was revised, resulting in the Type II nickel. Business strikes were made at Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco, with Philadelphia also producing 1,250 Matte Proofs for collectors. Today, the 1913 Type I Buffalo nickel is accessible in most grades, though superb Uncirculated examples and Matte Proofs are scarcer. Buyers should be cautious when distinguishing Matte Proofs from similar-looking business strikes.