indian head buffalo nickel

Indian Head / Buffalo Nickel

The Indian Head Nickel, often referred to as the Buffalo Nickel, quickly gained immense popularity among collectors and the general public due to its unique and intricate design. This coin, minted from 1913 to 1938, holds a special place in the world of numismatics, owing to its captivating portrayal of American heritage and the wild, untamed spirit of the American West. The obverse side of the Indian Head Nickel features a proud Native American Chief in profile, adorned with a feather headdress, which reflects the rich Native American culture of the United States. The design of the Chief’s facial features is remarkably detailed, with intricate lines and shading that bring life to the image. The Chief’s dignified countenance and the symbolism of his presence on the coin evoke a sense of pride and honor.

🪙 Overview

  • Years of Minting: 1913–1938

  • Designer: James Earle Fraser

  • Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel

  • Diameter: 21.2 mm

  • Weight: 5 grams

🦬 Obverse (Front): Indian Head

The obverse features a composite portrait of a Native American man. Contrary to popular belief, this was not a single individual, but rather a blend of features from several Native American chiefs that Fraser sketched, including:

  • Iron Tail (Lakota)

  • Two Moons (Cheyenne)

  • Possibly Big Tree (Kiowa)

Fraser aimed to create a design that honored the Native American heritage authentically and respectfully.

🐃 Reverse (Back): American Bison

The reverse depicts a powerful American Bison, commonly referred to as a buffalo, standing on a mound (Type 1) or a flat plain (Type 2). The model for this bison was reportedly “Black Diamond”, a resident of the Bronx Zoo in New York.

🔄 Design Changes

  • Type 1 (1913 only): Shows the buffalo standing on a raised mound. The denomination “FIVE CENTS” wore down easily, so it was changed.

  • Type 2 (1913–1938): The mound was flattened, and the denomination was set in a recessed area to reduce wear.

📈 Collectibility

Buffalo Nickels are highly collectible today, especially:

  • 1913-S Type 2 (San Francisco Mint)

  • 1918/7-D (overdate variety)

  • 1937-D “Three-Legged Buffalo” (minting error)

  • Full-date, uncirculated examples

Many examples from the later years have weak strikes or partial dates due to circulation and die wear.

📚 Fun Fact

Fraser originally wanted the reverse to show the bison charging, but the Mint rejected it, likely due to technical constraints or concerns about the aggressive symbolism.