What is a buffalo nickel?

Answer 1

The Buffalo nickel, also known as the Indian Head nickel, is one of the most famous US Coins ever minted.

The front of the coin shows the picture of a Native American chief and the reverse side shows a buffalo. The chief's portrait is said to be a composite of 3 individuals, while the buffalo is reportedly based on a famous animal named Black Diamond.

Buffalo nickels were minted from 1913 to 1938, when they were replaced by the familiar Jefferson design. The 1938 issue isn't particularly valuable but it's a bit of an anomaly: preparation for the Jefferson coins wasn't completed on time so production of buffalo nickels continued during the first part of the year.

Common questions and explanations:

The "F" on the front is the monogram of James Earle Fraser, the coin's designer. The mint mark is on the back, under the words FIVE CENTS:

• No mint mark = Philadelphia
• D = Denver
• S = San Francisco

The coins are sometimes erroneously called "Buffalo head" nickels, but the entire buffalo is shown, not just its head.

The coin's denomination is sometimes incorrectly spelled "nickle"; however that spelling actually refers to a European songbird!

Answer 2

No. All US nickels except special "war nickels" made during 1942-45 are struck in the same alloy of 25% nickel and 75% copper.
There were no Buffalo nickels that contained Silver issued by the U. S. Mint.

Answer 3

A few buffalo nickels are somewhat rare but many others are fairly common and sell for a couple of dollars in moderately worn condition. Among normal circulation issues only the 1921-S, 1924-S, 1926-S, and 1931-S varieties stand out, and then mostly in better grades.

The only truly rare buffalo nickels are all errors - a recut 1916 date, a recut 1918-D over 1917, and the famous 3-legged 1937-D coin are all worth thousands of dollars in high-grade condition.

Answer 4

Buffalo nickels were last minted in 1938 so the number still in circulation is vanishingly small.

Old coins do sometimes show up in change but those with a recognizably different design are almost always scooped up by someone who recognizes them. Old coins can enter circulation in various ways, including:

> Someone finds them in a drawer / closet / old box / etc. and spends them because they don't realize what they are

> A bank may find an old roll of coins on a back shelf, and simply put them in with other coins

> Thieves may spend stolen coins at face value

> A coin club may do a "coin drop", placing old coins in circulation as a way to drum up interest in the hobby.