Buffalo Nickels
(1913 - 1938)
The Buffalo Nickel—also known as the Indian Head Nickel—was introduced in 1913, replacing the Liberty Head design. Created by James Earle Fraser, the obverse features a composite portrait of a Native American chief, while the reverse depicts an American bison, often said to have been inspired by “Black Diamond,” a bison housed at the Bronx Zoo.
The series was struck from 1913 through 1938 in the standard 75% copper and 25% nickel alloy. Two reverse subtypes were produced in 1913: the original “Type 1” with the bison standing on a raised mound, and the modified “Type 2” with a recessed denomination to reduce wear.
Buffalo Nickels are well known for weak strikes and rapid date wear, making fully detailed examples more desirable. Key dates such as the 1913-S Type 2, 1918/7-D overdate, and 1937-D “Three-Legged” variety are especially popular among collectors. The design was replaced in 1938 by the Jefferson Nickel, but it remains one of the most iconic coins in U.S. history.
Check out dates & mintages for Buffalo Nickels, below.Business Strikes
Type 1, "FIVE CENTS" On Raised Ground
1913 Variety 1 | 30,993,520
1913-D Variety 1 | 5,337,000
1913-S Variety 1 | 2,105,000
Type 2, "FIVE CENTS" In Recess
1913 Variety 2 | 29,858,700
1913-D Variety 2 | 4,156,000
1913-S Variety 2 | 1,290,000
1914 | 20,665,738
1914-D | 3,912,000
1914-S | 3,470,000
1915 | 20,987,270
1915-D | 7,569,000
1915-S | 1,505,000
1916 | 63,498,066
1916-D | 13,333,000
1916-S | 11,860,000
1917 | 51,424,019
1917-D | 9,910,000
1917-S | 4,193,000
1918 | 32,086,314
1918-D | 8,362,000
1918-S | 4,882,000
1919 | 60,868,000
1919-D | 8,006,000
1919-S | 7,521,000
1920 | 63,093,000
1920-D | 9,418,000
1920-S | 9,689,000
1921 | 10,663,000
1921-S | 1,557,000
1923 | 35,715,000
1923-S | 6,142,000
1924-D | 5,258,000
1924-S | 1,437,000
1925-D | 4,450,000
1925-S | 6,256,000
1926-D | 5,638,000
1926-S | 970,000
1927-D | 5,730,000
1927-S | 3,430,000
1928-D | 6,436,000
1928-S | 6,936,000
1929 | 36,446,000
1929-D | 8,370,000
1929-S | 7,754,000
1930 | 22,849,000
1930-S | 5,435,000
1931-S | 1,200,000
1934 | 20,213,003
1934-D | 7,480,000
1935 | 58,264,000
1935-D | 12,092,000
1935-S | 10,300,000
1936 | 119,001,420
1936-D | 24,814,000
1936-S | 14,930,000
1937 | 79,485,769
1937-D | 17,826,000
1937-S | 5,635,000
1938-D | 7,020,000
Proof Strikes
Type 1, "FIVE CENTS" On Raised Ground
1913 Proof Variety 1 | 1,520
Type 2, "FIVE CENTS" In Recess
1913 Proof Variety 2 | 1,514
1914 Proof | 1,275
1915 Proof | 1,050
1916 Proof | 600
1936 Proof | 4,420
1937 Proof | 5,769
If You Collect Five-Cent Nickels, Check Out The ‘Silver Alloy War Nickels’ Type Set!
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