# MCN125 - Buffalo Nickel, 10 Coins, Mystic Choice
Own 10 Buffalo Nickels
Coins Vary, You’ll Love Discovering Yours!
• Also known as an “Indian Head” nickel
• Minted from 1913-38
• Successor to the Liberty Head nickels
• 75% copper, 25% nickel
• Heads side (obverse) pictures a Native American and was intended to represent the culture of all Native Americans rather than a specific tribe – artwork praised for high level of detail
• Tails side (reverse) pictures the American bison (buffalo) standing on a hill
• Dies were wearing out much faster than previous nickels, so design changes were made – hill replaced with flat ground, “LIBERTY” altered to make it more distinct
• Unfortunately, changes didn’t make a big difference in how fast the dies were wearing out and these nickels became known for being difficult to strike clearly and for the images wearing away easily
• Replaced by Jefferson nickel in 1938 – buffalo design later used in 2001 for commemorative silver dollar
Here’s a bit more about the story of these beautiful and historic coins…
In 1911, plans were in the works to produce a nickel with a new design. Sculptor James Fraser submitted the idea to feature a Native American on one side and American Bison on the other. His concept was accepted.
The Native American on the obverse (heads) side of the coin was not patterned after a single person, but instead had features from many. It represents the culture of Native Americans as a whole rather than a specific tribe. The artwork was praised for its detail, especially the texture of the hair and feathers.
The reverse (tails) side displays the strength of the American Bison. The noble animals stands on a hill with his shaggy coat on display.
After production began on the new nickel, it was discovered the dies were wearing out much faster than the previous Liberty Head nickels. Changes were made to the design, including replacing the hill with flat ground. Later, the word “LIBERTY” was also altered to make it more distinct. Unfortunately, these changes didn’t improve the wear of the nickels by much.
The Indian Head or Buffalo Nickel was praised for its artistry, but also criticized for its difficulty to strike clearly and the fact that the coins wore down easily. In 1938, it was replaced by the Jefferson nickel, although Fraser’s buffalo design was used again in 2001 for a commemorative silver dollar coin.
In the end, the Buffalo or Indian Head Nickel features truly American themes and is an example of the artistry of older US coins. It’s made of 75% copper and 25% nickel and was produced from 1913-38. It’s easily recognized design is one that won’t soon be forgotten.
Own 10 Buffalo Nickels
Coins Vary, You’ll Love Discovering Yours!
• Also known as an “Indian Head” nickel
• Minted from 1913-38
• Successor to the Liberty Head nickels
• 75% copper, 25% nickel
• Heads side (obverse) pictures a Native American and was intended to represent the culture of all Native Americans rather than a specific tribe – artwork praised for high level of detail
• Tails side (reverse) pictures the American bison (buffalo) standing on a hill
• Dies were wearing out much faster than previous nickels, so design changes were made – hill replaced with flat ground, “LIBERTY” altered to make it more distinct
• Unfortunately, changes didn’t make a big difference in how fast the dies were wearing out and these nickels became known for being difficult to strike clearly and for the images wearing away easily
• Replaced by Jefferson nickel in 1938 – buffalo design later used in 2001 for commemorative silver dollar
Here’s a bit more about the story of these beautiful and historic coins…
In 1911, plans were in the works to produce a nickel with a new design. Sculptor James Fraser submitted the idea to feature a Native American on one side and American Bison on the other. His concept was accepted.
The Native American on the obverse (heads) side of the coin was not patterned after a single person, but instead had features from many. It represents the culture of Native Americans as a whole rather than a specific tribe. The artwork was praised for its detail, especially the texture of the hair and feathers.
The reverse (tails) side displays the strength of the American Bison. The noble animals stands on a hill with his shaggy coat on display.
After production began on the new nickel, it was discovered the dies were wearing out much faster than the previous Liberty Head nickels. Changes were made to the design, including replacing the hill with flat ground. Later, the word “LIBERTY” was also altered to make it more distinct. Unfortunately, these changes didn’t improve the wear of the nickels by much.
The Indian Head or Buffalo Nickel was praised for its artistry, but also criticized for its difficulty to strike clearly and the fact that the coins wore down easily. In 1938, it was replaced by the Jefferson nickel, although Fraser’s buffalo design was used again in 2001 for a commemorative silver dollar coin.
In the end, the Buffalo or Indian Head Nickel features truly American themes and is an example of the artistry of older US coins. It’s made of 75% copper and 25% nickel and was produced from 1913-38. It’s easily recognized design is one that won’t soon be forgotten.