It is common - that design was famously poor - many
have worn away dates. So not an error, just bad design.
All Indian head (a/k/a buffalo) nickels were struck in the same alloy of 75% copper / 25% nickel that has been used for all 5-cent pieces except the famous "war nickels" made during WW 2. The latter were made of silver,copper, and manganese to save nickel for the war effort.
They aren't made from nickel. Past US cents have been made of copper, bronze, or steel. Since 1982 they've been made of copper-plated zinc.True "pennies" from Britain (US coins are actually "cents") are made of copper-plated steel.The only US cents to contain nickel were Flying Eagle and some early-date Indian Head cents; they were 88% copper and 12% nickel.
The 1902 Liberty Head Nickel consisted of 75% copper and 25% nickel.
All Indian head (a/k/a buffalo) nickels were struck in the same alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel. That composition has been used for all 5-cent pieces except the famous "war nickels" made during WW 2. The latter were made of silver, copper, and manganese because nickel was needed for the war effort.
It's either "Indian head" or "buffalo", but not "buffalo head". Buffalo nickels show the whole animal! All buffalo nickels are made of the same 25% nickel / 75% copper alloy used in modern nickels. Internet rumors notwithstanding, NO buffalo nickels ever contained any silver.
To see where the date is located on an Indian Head Nickel please click on the link named "INDIAN HEAD NICKEL" in the "RELATED LINKS" section located along the left side of this box.
Look at the coins date again. The last Indian Head nickel was struck in 1938.
Look at the coins date again. The last Indian Head nickel was struck in 1938.
1927 is not a rare date. This coin is commonly called either a buffalo nickel or an Indian head nickel. Please see the question "What is the value of a 1927 US nickel?" for more information.
Please post a new question with a date.
Are you asking about a Indian head penny or a nickel? Post a new question with the denomination and date of the coin.
There is no such thing as an Indian head nickel minted in 1895. The first Indian head nickel was minted in 1913; prior to that was the Barber nickel, with the head of Liberty.
The buffalo (actually a bison) is on the back, with an Indian head on the front. The date is on the front at the base of the Indian's neck.
Look at the coins date again. The last Indian Head nickel was struck in 1938.
Look to the bottom left of the coin on the observe.
This coin is also often called a Buffalo nickel or a Indian Head nickel. Both names are about equally common. 1935 is a very common date. Most coins are valued at .50 cents to $3.00.
This will vary greatly depending on date and mint mark.