Indian
Head Buffalo Nickels (1913-38)  |
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US Coins For
Sale Always Collectors
Corner |
In the early 1900s, President Theodore Roosevelt had embarked upon a campaign to change the designs of U.S. coinage, most of which had been designed by Barber. Roosevelt considered Barber's coinage ugly with ancient Greek designs, which incorporated high relief. In 1911, Treasury Secretary Franklin MacVeagh, who had worked with Roosevelt in the past and agreed with his opinions on U.S. coinage design, hired James Earle Fraser to design a new nickel. Indian Head Nickels, or the Buffalo Nickel as they are more commonly called, feature a profile of a Native American on the obverse of the coin, which was a composite portrait of three Native American chiefs: Iron Tail, Big Tree, and Two Moons. The "buffalo" portrayed on the reverse was an American Bison, Black Diamond, from the Bronx Zoo. An F for Fraser appears just below the date. No nickel coins were produced in 1922, 1932, 1933. Soon after the Indian Head nickel
went into circulation, it became apparent that the reverse design
was problematic; the "FIVE CENTS" inscription, which
was on a raised mound at the bottom of the reverse, was one of
the highest spots on the coin, and thus wore away very quickly.
As a result, the design was modified by Charles Barber during
its first year of production. Barber removed the raised mound
and lowered the relief of the inscription so that it would not
wear away as quickly. However, one problem that was not addressed
was the placement of the date. Like "FIVE CENTS" in
the original design, the date was placed at a relief that exposed
it to a great deal of wear. Many Indian Head nickels have their
dates partially or completely obliterated through extensive circulation
as it was higher than the edge. Buffalo nickel value is determined
by the ability to read a date on the front and the condition
of the buffalo's tail and horn on the reverse. Even 5 cent coins
with unreadable dates are considered collectible, especially
for kids and beginning coin collectors.
SPECIFICATIONS: Diameter: 21.2 millimeters
Weight: 5 grams Composition: .750 copper, .250 nickel Edge: Plain Available for
Purchase
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