At the dawn of the 20th century, the United States Mint recognized the need for a fresh and innovative design for the nickel. For nearly five decades, the Shield Nickel had adorned the five-cent piece since 1866, but it was time for a change. In 1911, the Mint took a remarkable step by organizing a design competition to select a new face for the nickel. Among the many artists and designers who participated, James Earle Fraser stood out with his unique vision.
Fraser, known for his proficiency in capturing Native American and Western themes in his artwork, submitted a design that would become legendary. His vision for the nickel featured a powerful and dignified Native American on the obverse, clad in a feathered headdress and gazing to the right. On the reverse, a majestic buffalo, also known as a bison, stood atop a raised mound, captured with exquisite detail.
The Liberty Head Nickel made its debut in 1913, and it was an immediate hit with both collectors and the general public. Fraser’s design was not only visually striking but also deeply evocative. The Native American represented the rich heritage and cultural diversity of America, while the buffalo symbolized the rugged wilderness and the rapidly disappearing frontier of the West. This design was not merely a coin; it was a piece of art that told a story of America’s past.
However, despite its artistic brilliance, the coin wasn’t without its flaws. One of the major issues was the absence of a raised rim, leaving the coin’s design vulnerable to wear and rapid deterioration. Additionally, the denomination “FIVE CENTS” was perched on a raised mound on the reverse, which made it prone to wear and made the inscription difficult to read.
