1913 Buffalo Nickel

About This Coin

The 1913 Buffalo Nickel is a United States nickel from the Buffalo Nickels 1913-1938 series — the first year of the series. In 1913, coins were struck at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints with a combined mintage of 73.7 million. This ranks 17th of 23 years by total mintage, above the series median of 48.7 million. The obverse features a composite Native American portrait combining features of three real tribal chiefs — Iron Tail (Lakota), Two Moons (Cheyenne), and John Big Tree (Seneca) and the reverse displays an American bison (often called Black Diamond after the famous bison at the Bronx Zoo) standing on a mound. First year, with two types: Type I (bison on a mound) and Type II (bison on a flat plain with recessed denomination). Struck in 75% copper, 25% nickel, weighing 5 grams, 21.2 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Collectors have cataloged 26 known die varieties for this date across 5 categories, including cud, doubled die obverse, doubled die reverse and 2 other types. Across its variants, estimated values range from $15 to $1.5K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $144K in MS68 grade at Bowers & Merena. Designed by James Earle Fraser.