Buffalo Nickels Collection Value Guide

The Buffalo Nickel is a cornerstone of American numismatics, celebrated for its rugged, quintessentially American imagery designed by James Earle Fraser. These coins are highly collectible due to their unique composite portraits of Native American leaders and the iconic depiction of an American bison on the reverse.

What affects the value of Buffalo Nickels Collection?

• The legibility of the date is the primary factor, as 'dateless' nickels carry significantly lower value.
• Mint marks (D for Denver or S for San Francisco) located on the reverse below the 'FIVE CENTS' inscription can increase rarity.
• The specific year of issue, with 1913 'Type 1' and 'Type 2' variations being particularly notable for collectors.
• Overall strike quality and surface preservation of the copper-nickel alloy.

How to Identify Buffalo Nickels Collection?

• Check the obverse for the designer's initial 'F' located just below the date.
• Verify the reverse features a profile of an American bison, modeled after Black Diamond from the Bronx Zoo.
• Examine the obverse for a composite portrait of three chiefs: Iron Tail, Big Tree, and Two Moons.
• Look for the date on the raised mound at the bottom left of the obverse, which is often worn flat on circulated examples.

History of Buffalo Nickels Collection

The Buffalo Nickel, designed by James Earle Fraser, was minted by the United States from 1913 to 1938. The obverse features a Native American chief, a composite portrait based on three real models: Iron Tail, Big Tree, and Two Moons. The reverse famously depicts an American bison, believed to be Black Diamond from the Bronx Zoo. This coin was part of a broader movement to beautify American coinage, replacing the Liberty Head Nickel and becoming a cherished piece of American numismatic history.