Buffalo Nickel Buttons Value Guide

These unique buttons are crafted from genuine United States Buffalo Nickels minted between 1913 and 1938. They represent a popular mid-20th-century craft where James Earle Fraser's iconic American bison design was repurposed into functional folk art fashion.

What Is Buffalo Nickel Buttons Worth?

The typical price range for Buffalo Nickel Buttons is $25 - $35 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The visibility of the original mint date, which is often worn down on circulated Buffalo Nickels.
• The quality and stability of the shank attachment on the reverse of the button.
• The specific variety of the coin used, such as the 1913 'Type 1' mound versus the 'Type 2' flat ground.
• The overall strike clarity of the bison's features and the 'United States of America' inscription.

How to Identify Buffalo Nickel Buttons?

• Verify the reverse side features the American bison standing on a mound, characteristic of the 1913-1938 series.
• Check for the presence of a metal shank securely soldered to the obverse Native American portrait side.
• Look for the distinct copper-nickel alloy patina and wear patterns consistent with circulated early 20th-century coinage.
• Ensure the diameter matches a standard US nickel at approximately 21.21mm.

History of Buffalo Nickel Buttons

The Buffalo Nickel, also known as the Indian Head Nickel, was minted by the United States Mint from 1913 to 1938. Designed by James Earle Fraser, it aimed to depict distinct American imagery, moving away from classical European figures. The obverse features a composite portrait of three different Native American chiefs, while the reverse showcases an American bison standing on a mound. These coins were later repurposed into functional and decorative items like buttons, a popular craft during the early to mid-20th century.