What Is a Buffalo Nickel?

The Buffalo nickel is a United States five-cent coin struck from 1913 through 1938. It is also commonly called the Indian Head nickel because the obverse features a Native American portrait.

The reverse shows an American bison, which is why most collectors call the coin a Buffalo nickel. The design is one of the most recognizable in U.S. coinage and remains a favorite with collectors of all experience levels.

Buffalo nickels followed the Liberty Head nickel and came before the Jefferson nickel. They represent a major artistic shift in the five-cent denomination, moving away from classical Liberty imagery and toward a design with a stronger American frontier identity.

Why the Buffalo Nickel Was Created

The Buffalo nickel was created during a period when U.S. coin designs were becoming more artistic and more distinctly American. In the early 20th century, there was growing interest in replacing older coin designs with designs that felt more modern, symbolic, and visually powerful.

The Liberty Head nickel had circulated since 1883, and by the early 1910s the Mint was ready for a new five-cent coin. The Buffalo nickel introduced a completely different look, with imagery tied to Native Americans, the American West, and the bison as a national symbol.

This made the Buffalo nickel more than just a new design. It became a coin that reflected how Americans wanted to remember the frontier era and the natural identity of the country.

Design of the Buffalo Nickel

The Buffalo nickel was designed by James Earle Fraser. The obverse features a Native American portrait facing right, while the reverse shows an American bison standing in profile.

The design is bold, rugged, and very different from the more formal Liberty Head nickel. Instead of classical symbols, the Buffalo nickel uses imagery strongly connected to the American West.

Collectors often appreciate the design because it feels uniquely American. The portrait and bison are both strong visual elements, and together they give the coin a personality unlike any other U.S. nickel series.

Years of Issue

Buffalo nickels were struck from 1913 through 1938. The series includes coins from the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints, which makes mint mark collecting an important part of the series.

The first year, 1913, includes two major reverse types: Type 1 and Type 2. The final year, 1938, marks the end of the series and the transition to the Jefferson nickel.

Because the series lasted for twenty-five years and includes multiple mints, Buffalo nickels provide enough challenge to keep collectors engaged without being as long as some later series.

Composition and Size

Buffalo nickels were struck in the standard nickel composition of 75% copper and 25% nickel. This was the same basic copper-nickel composition used for other U.S. nickels.

The coin had a five-cent denomination and was intended for everyday circulation. Like other nickels, it was durable and heavily used in commerce.

Because of the design’s high points and the hardness of the metal, some Buffalo nickels show strike weakness or rapid wear in certain areas. This is especially important when grading the series.

1913 Type 1 and Type 2 Buffalo Nickels

The first year of the Buffalo nickel series includes two important reverse types. The 1913 Type 1 reverse shows the buffalo standing on a raised mound. This original design was attractive, but the denomination area wore quickly in circulation.

Later in 1913, the Mint changed the reverse to the Type 2 design. On this version, the buffalo stands on a flatter line, and the denomination was placed in a recessed area to protect it from wear.

Both types are important to collectors. Many type sets include one example of each, and the change helps show how practical circulation issues could force design adjustments quickly.

Why Collectors Like Buffalo Nickels

Collectors like Buffalo nickels because the design is memorable, historic, and deeply connected to American identity. The coin has a rugged look that stands apart from most other U.S. coins.

The series also offers a good balance of availability and challenge. Common-date Buffalo nickels are approachable, but key dates, better mint marks, high-grade examples, and famous varieties can be much more difficult.

Buffalo nickels also have strong nostalgia. Many collectors remember them from old collections, family coin jars, and classic coin albums. That emotional connection keeps the series popular generation after generation.

Important Dates and Collector Targets

Several Buffalo nickel dates are especially important to collectors. The 1913-S Type 2 is a major key date, and the 1914-D, 1915-S, 1921-S, 1924-S, 1926-S, and 1931-S are also closely watched.

The 1926-S Buffalo nickel is one of the most famous low-mintage issues in the series and is a major target for collectors. Other San Francisco and Denver issues can also be difficult in stronger grades.

Buffalo nickels are often collected by date and mint mark, which makes these better dates important milestones. A complete set can be very rewarding, but it takes patience and careful attention to condition.

Varieties and Errors

Buffalo nickels include several famous varieties and minting issues. The best-known is the 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo nickel, created when excessive die polishing removed most of one of the buffalo’s legs.

Another important variety is the 1918/7-D overdate, where evidence of an earlier date appears beneath the final date. This is one of the major varieties in the series and is highly desirable.

Collectors also study doubled dies, repunched mint marks, die cracks, and other features. As always, it is important to separate genuine mint-made varieties from ordinary damage or wear.

How Buffalo Nickels Are Graded

Buffalo nickels are graded by studying wear, remaining detail, strike quality, surfaces, and overall eye appeal. Because the design has high points that wear quickly, grading can be challenging.

On the obverse, collectors look at the Native American portrait, including the hair, cheek, braid, and feather detail. On the reverse, they look at the buffalo’s horn, shoulder, hip, and body detail.

Full horn detail on the buffalo is especially important in higher circulated grades. Many lower-grade Buffalo nickels have weak or missing dates, making readable-date examples more desirable.

Common Problems Collectors Watch For

One of the most common problems with Buffalo nickels is a worn or missing date. The date was placed in a high-wear area, so many heavily circulated examples have weak or unreadable dates.

Collectors also watch for scratches, cleaning, corrosion, rim damage, and weak strikes. Some coins may look appealing at first but have problems that reduce collector value.

As with other older coins, originality matters. A naturally worn Buffalo nickel with honest surfaces can be more desirable than one that has been cleaned or altered.

Ways to Collect Buffalo Nickels

Many collectors begin with a single type coin. A nice common-date Buffalo nickel can represent the series well in a broader U.S. type set.

Others build a full date-and-mintmark set from 1913 through 1938. This is a classic collecting goal, but the key dates and better mint marks make it challenging.

Some collectors focus on varieties like the 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo or 1918/7-D overdate. Others build partial sets, collect only readable-date coins, or focus on attractive circulated examples with strong eye appeal.

Are Buffalo Nickels Worth Money?

Yes. Buffalo nickels are collectible coins and are usually worth more than face value, especially when they have readable dates, better mint marks, strong detail, or problem-free surfaces.

Common worn examples are often affordable, but key dates, famous varieties, and higher-grade pieces can be much more valuable. Coins with strong horn detail and attractive original surfaces are especially desirable.

The value of a Buffalo nickel depends on date, mint mark, grade, variety, surface quality, and overall collector demand.

Frequently Asked Questions

When were Buffalo nickels made?

Buffalo nickels were struck from 1913 through 1938.

Why is it called a Buffalo nickel?

It is called a Buffalo nickel because the reverse features an American bison. Many collectors still use the traditional nickname “buffalo.”

Are Buffalo nickels silver?

No. Buffalo nickels are made from copper-nickel, not silver.

What is the most famous Buffalo nickel error?

The 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo nickel is one of the most famous varieties in the series.

Why are many Buffalo nickel dates missing?

The date was placed in a high-wear area, so heavy circulation often wore the date down until it became weak or unreadable.