1913 Buffalo Nickel 2 pc Set - Type I & II

The Buffalo Nickel is considered by many to be the TRUE coin of America and the spirit of the west. Issued between 1913 and 1938, it is easily the most popular nickel ever issued by the U.S. Mint. The design is a classic: the obverse a proud Indian chief...the reverse a buffalo modeled after America's most famous Buffalo - Black Diamond of the New York Central Park Zoo. If it were not for the bad design placement of the date which wore off quickly, it is possible that this coin would still be in service today!

Like most of the more popular collector's coins, the Buffalo Nickel's run was not without controversy. It was the U.S. Mint's position that the designer, James Earle Fraser, used the images of three different Native Americans as the model for the Indian chief. Unsurprisingly, many more individuals than the three claimed the image was theirs! To help clear the air Fraser made a statement in 1938 that the three Native Americans he used as inspiration had been "Iron Tail, a Sioux; Big Tree, a Kiowa; and Two Moons, a Cheyenne."

The first Buffalo was released into circulation on March 4, 1913. The Buffalo within the design was on a mound with the denomination struck into the mound. After a short period of time, and heavy usage, the denomination was wearing off...which brought back bad memories for the Mint. The prior nickel, the Liberty in 1883 had an issue with "no denomination" as well. This time around the U.S. Mint acted quickly. The design was altered to have the buffalo standing on a straight line. Unfortunately, it wasn't the only problem with the design - the obverse also had issues with the date wearing off quickly...so after only 25 years the design was pulled and replaced by Jefferson.