The Buffalo or Indian Head Nickel coins were minted from 1913 to 1938 and in good quantity. The Buffalo nickel would enjoy a good run, but would eventually be replaced by the United States current nickel, the Jefferson Nickel. These coins like the other nickels are 75% copper and contain 25% nickel. None were issued with any other intrinsic value based off silver or gold.
The Buffalo or Indian Head Nickel is loved by many a coin collector, and for good reason. These coins pay homage to the Native American heritage that most all Americans can at least partially call their own. Many people (including myself) have a percentage of Native American blood coursing through their veins.
The Indian Head/Buffalo Nickel. I want to provide you with information on this historic coin even though it contains no silver. A small number of them can be quite valuable plus the images appearing on the obverse and reverse are among the best of any U.S. Designed by James Earle Fraser (his initial F appears beneath the date) the nickel was struck from 1913 through 1938. Brown Indian Head Cents. Brown Indian Head cents come in on the opposite end of the color scale. If Red Indian Head cents are the least common, then Brown (or BN) Indian pennies are among the most common. Most old copper coins, as they age, tend to turn brown or green.
These coins are riddled with errors and strange mintages. There are 3 legged buffalo, 3.5 legged buffalo, D's over S's Numbers stamped over numbers, and so on. The may be the most error filled group of coins the United States mint has issued in the last hundred years. If you are a numismatic who enjoys the rush of finding a good error amongst the coins in population then this coin is for you! Happy Hunting!
This coin replaced the Liberty Head Nickel, and was later replaced by the Thomas Jefferson Nickel.
* Notice as of December 2006 it is illegal to melt down US Minted Pennies and Nickels, and there is a $10,000 fine to help enforce the law. It is legal however to melt down silver dollars, half dollars, dimes, quarters for their content.
Buffalo Nickel Price Guide
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* Notice as of December 2006 it is illegal to melt down US Minted Pennies and Nickels, and there is a $10,000 fine to help enforce the law. It is legal however to melt down silver dollars, half dollars, dimes, quarters for their content.
Indian Head Nickel 1926
Chris D. writes: We would like to know if the indian on the Indian head/Buffalo nickel was modeled on a real person, and if so, who it was. Thank-you very much.
The Indian on the Indian Head or Buffalo Nickel (1913-1936) is a composite portrait of Three Indian Chiefs – Iron Tail, the Chief that faced General Custer at the battle of Little Big Horn, Two Moons and John Big Tree. The idea was to create a Native American portrait but not to associate the facial features with any specific tribe. Pat sajak wheel of fortune-wiki. The reverse of the coin shows a bison, often called a 'buffalo', thought to be 'Black Diamond' from the Bronx Zoo.
This was the second time that a Native American portrait has appeared on a U.S. coin (the first is on the 1908 gold $2.5 and $5 gold coins). Note that the third instance of a Native American to appear on a United States coin is on the current dollar coin. It features the portrait of Sacagawea, the young Indian guide that helped the Louis and Clark Expedition find their way through the Louisiana Territory.
Indian Head Nickel No Date
