The Buffalo nickel is both a unique and significant piece of American coinage, presenting an important part of the rich cultural and evolutionary history of the United States. It was introduced in 1913 and continued to be produced until 1938.
One of the reasons it is so celebrated is due to its distinctive and iconic design, which symbolizes the American frontier through images of an indigenous American and a native bison. The Indian Head Buffalo Nickel is an enduring and sought-after coin amongst many collectors. Here are a few of its more distinctive features:
The Spirit of the Design
The unique design, created by James Earle Fraser (a renowned sculptor of the era), is distinguishable from other American coins, which were heavily influenced by Greek and Roman visuals/imagery.
Conversely, the Buffalo Nickel presents a much more American identity. It represents native people and wildlife, exclusive to North America, perfectly capturing the landscape of the time.
Obverse Side of the Coin
An indigenous American profile is displayed on this side of the Indian Head Buffalo nickel. In actuality, it’s a composite of three different tribal chiefs:
The traditional native head-dressing is showcased by the feathers that adorn the braided hair, which was representative of many of the Plains Indian tribes. Along the rim of the coin is the word “LIBERTY” engraved, and the year of minting is located at the bottom.
Reverse Side of the Coin
On the opposing side of the nickel, an American bison is portrayed in a beautifully designed image. It is said that this image was inspired by a real-life buffalo that was housed at the Central Park Zoo in New York. His name was Black Diamond. A symbol for the American West, the animal stands proudly, gazing downward.
The coin’s denomination of “FIVE CENTS” is engraved beneath the bison. Engraved above the bison is the motto of the U.S.; “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” Encircling the top half are the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”
Historical and Numismatic Significance
This is another notable characteristic of the Buffalo nickel. The coin was minted during a time when American society was going through a great transformation. It symbolizes the early attempts to acknowledge and incorporate Native American culture and tradition into the mainstream.
Something that draws many collectors to this nickel is the variety of errors and rarities that took place during its production. The most famous is certainly the 1937-D piece which, due to an over-ambitious attempt at die-polishing, removed one of the legs, creating the famous three-legged Buffalo.
Continued Relevance of the Indian Head Buffalo Nickel
Despite the fact that it had a relatively short run when compared to other popular coins of the era, Buffalo nickels have made a notable and lasting impact on U.S. coinage. The distinctive imagery provides us with a reminder of the nation’s diverse heritage, as well as the integral role of American Indians and frontier wildlife in its history.