Indian Head Nickel
Much of the collectible value of a Buffalo Indian Head nickel is derived from its year and mintmark, making it difficult to value a coin with those features rubbed off. If a collector can determine the date of the coin through alternative means, it may be worth between 43 cents for common years and $424 for rare coins, such as the 1937 D 3 Leg. The Indian Head/Buffalo Nickel. I want to provide you with information on this historic coin even though it contains no silver. A small number of them can be quite valuable plus the images appearing on the obverse and reverse are among the best of any U.S. Designed by James Earle Fraser (his initial F appears beneath the date) the nickel was struck from 1913 through 1938.
The Buffalo Nickel, or Indian Head Nickel, was introduced in 1913 and struck continuously until 1938. The series has been a long time favorite for coin collectors due to the uniquely American images featured on both the obverse and reverse designs. A set of circulated pieces can be completed with some persistence, however a full mint state set is a major accomplishment and a milestone for advanced collectors. Several interesting varieties such as the 1937-D Three Legged Buffalo Nickel add another aspect to collecting the series.
The Buffalo Nickel was the successor of the Liberty Nickel, which had been minted for circulation from 1883 to 1912. The new nickel was designed by James Earle Fraser, who initially produced a number of pattern pieces at his studio. One of these is now a famous pattern with the head of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and a blank reverse. These are not products of the US Mint, but private patterns, correctly listed in Appendix C of the Judd book (United States Pattern Coins).
1936 Indian Head Nickel Worth
The design that was chosen as the new five cent denomination shows a Native American on the obverse. Fraser modeled the head of the Indian after three chiefs (Iron Tail of the Sioux, Two Moons of the Cheyenne, and John Big Tree of the Seneca nation) who had posed for him years earlier. The composite image was intended to represent a type, rather than an actual person. The inscription LIBERTY appears within the field on the right side of the coin, while the date appears on the truncation of the neck. Beneath the date is a small incused “F”, the designer’s initial. The placement of the date on a raised area of the design caused it to wear heavily in circulation, creating many “dateless” Buffalo Nickels.
The reverse design of the coin was produced in two distinct types. The original Type 1 design was produced for only a short time during the first year of issue in 1913, struck at all three mint facilities in use at the time. A male North American Bison, commonly called a buffalo, is standing on a raised mound. Although the Bison that Fraser used as model was never positively identified, legend has survived that it is Black Diamond from the New York Central Park Zoo. Beneath the mound is the denomination expressed as FIVE CENTS with the mint mark below. Above the Bison is the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM slightly below.
Soon after the first Buffalo Nickels were struck, it became apparent that area of the coin containing the denomination would wear quickly in circulation. The inscription had been placed on the highest point of the coin, which over time would have allowed it to wear away completely. Charles E. Barber, who had previously expressed strong criticism of the design, made some modifications. The revised or Type 2 design would have the overall relief lowered, the ground beneath the bison made flat, and the denomination placed within a recessed area to better protect it from wear. No modification was made to the placement of the date, which remained on a raised area of the design. This type, which was introduced part of the way through 1913, was used without further significant modifications until the end of the series.
The Indian Head Cent was struck in two metal compositions. From 1859 to mid 1864, the cent was struck in a metal composition consisting of 88% copper and 12% nickel, weighing 4.67 grams, or 72 grains. This metal proved to be too hard to strike, and in 1864 the composition was changed to a bronze alloy. This consisted of 95% copper and 5% zinc and tin. The bronze cents weigh 3.11 grams, or 48 grains.
Both compositions have a diameter of 19 millimeters, and all have a plain edge. The final two years were also produced at the San Francisco Mint, and the “S” mintmark is found on the reverse, under the wreath.
Copper Indian Head Cent
How Much Are Buffalo Nickels Worth
Dates: 1859-1864
Mint Mark: none
Composition: 88% copper, 12% nickel
Weight: 4.67 grams
Diameter: 19 mm
Edge: plain
Designer: James B. Longacre
Bronze Indian Head Cent
Indian Head Nickels Worth
Dates: 1864-1909
Mint Mark: none (Philadelphia), S (San Francisco)
Composition: 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc
Weight: 3.11 grams
Diameter: 19 mm
Edge: plain
Designer: James B. Longacre