Buffalo Nickels (1913-1938)

Designed by famed sculptor James E. Fraser, the U.S. Buffalo nickel is considered the most uniquely American coin.

Why is it called a Buffalo Nickel?

In reality, the creature on the reverse of the five-cent "Buffalo" coin is an American Bison. The term buffalo is a misnomer for bison, dating back to early American settlers.

Buffalo Nickel Varieties

First minted in 1913, there were two distinct varieties of Buffalo nickels that year. The first variety had “Five Cents” inscribed on a mound below the bison on the reverse. Unfortunately, this design caused that area on the coin to wear down faster; therefore, the reverse was redesigned to the second variety, which had the “Five Cents” struck on a recessed area below the bison. Another well-known error variety is the 1937 D 3-Legged Buffalo.

Models for the Buffalo Nickel

Three different Native Americans were referenced for James Earl Fraser’s obverse design. The “buffalo” that appears on the reverse of the nickel was supposedly modeled after “Black Diamond”, a bison from the New York Central Park Zoo.

American Buffalo Bullion

The coin's design was repurposed for the first .9999 fine gold bullion coins made by the U.S. Mint.

Growing Your Collection

At Profile Coins, we have Indian Head nickels for sale across a range of years, mint locations and grades to meet your collection goals. Every purchase is backed by our 30-day satisfaction guarantee.