coin_reference
Buffalo Nickel (1913–1938): Collector Reference
A reference to James Earle Fraser’s five-cent design, struck from 1913 through 1938.
- era
- 1913–1938
- edge
- Plain
- series
- Buffalo Nickel
- coin type
- Five Cents
- composition
- Copper-Nickel
- denomination
- Nickel
The design
The Buffalo or Indian Head nickel was designed by James Earle Fraser and struck from 1913 through 1938. Its obverse presents a Native American profile, and its reverse shows an American bison.
A date that wears
The date is positioned on a raised area and often wears away in circulation. Chemical date restoration changes the surface and should be disclosed. The 1913 reverse exists in two major types: the first places the bison on a raised mound, while the revised design uses a flatter ground line.
Cataloging
Record the date, mint mark, type, major variety, surface condition, and whether the date has been altered or restored.
Sources and further reading
- History of U.S. Circulating Coins · accessed 7/31/2026
Collector reference only. Verify grading, attribution, authenticity, and current values with qualified specialists before buying or selling.