Buffalo Nickel Collection Value Guide

The Buffalo Nickel collection is a cornerstone of American numismatics, featuring James Earle Fraser's celebrated composite portrait of three Native American chiefs and the iconic bison, Black Diamond. Minted between 1913 and 1938, these coins are highly collectible for their artistic merit and their role in defining a distinct American identity through copper-nickel alloy currency.

What Is Buffalo Nickel Collection Worth?

The typical price range for Buffalo Nickel Collection is $100 - $300 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The presence of key dates, such as the 1913-S Type 2 or the 1921-S, which significantly increase the collection's worth.
• The legibility of the date, as the Buffalo Nickel design was prone to wearing the date off completely during circulation.
• The overall condition and luster of the copper-nickel alloy, with uncirculated examples commanding the highest premiums.
• The completeness of the specialized coin album, including rare mint marks and variety strikes like the '3-Legged' buffalo.

How to Identify Buffalo Nickel Collection?

• Check the obverse for the designer's initial 'F' located just below the date.
• Verify the reverse features a standing American bison, which distinguishes it from the earlier Liberty Head design.
• Examine the date area on the obverse; early 1913 'Type 1' coins have the bison on a raised mound, while 'Type 2' coins have a flat ground line.
• Look for the mint marks 'D' for Denver or 'S' for San Francisco located on the reverse, below the 'FIVE CENTS' inscription.

History of Buffalo Nickel Collection

The Buffalo Nickel, designed by James Earle Fraser, was minted by the United States from 1913 to 1938. It replaced the Liberty Head Nickel and was celebrated for its distinctly American imagery, featuring a Native American chief on the obverse and an American bison on the reverse. Fraser claimed his design was a composite of three different Native American chiefs: Iron Tail, Big Tree, and Two Moons. The buffalo was modeled after Black Diamond, a resident of the Bronx Zoo. This coin is highly regarded for its artistic merit and its reflection of American identity.