The portrait on the Indian Head nickel is a composite of at least 3 different Native American chiefs. James Earle Fraser, the coin's designer, gave conflicting information about who he used as models, but the most likely candidates are Chiefs Iron Tail, Big Tree and Two Moons.
It's known that the buffalo on the coin's reverse is an image of Black Diamond, who was kept at the Bronx Zoo.
The coin is normally called either a Buffalo nickel or an Indian Head nickel. The entire buffalo is shown, not just its head, LOL! Please see the question "What is the value of a 1937 US nickel?" for more information.
Please don't assume that because a coin is old it has to be made of silver. Like modern nickels, all buffalo nickels were struck in an alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel. Please see the question "What is the value of a 1937 US nickel?" for more information.
the nickel.
There were no nickels made in 1932 or 1933.Most nickels dated 1934 through 1937 are worth anywhere from a dollar or so up to several dollars but it depends a lot on their condition and mint mark. For specific answers look for questions in the form "What is the value of a [date] US nickel?"
In the US, a nickel is worth 5 cents.
The coin is normally called either a Buffalo nickel or an Indian Head nickel. The entire buffalo is shown, not just its head, LOL! Please see the question "What is the value of a 1937 US nickel?" for more information.
Please don't assume that because a coin is old it has to be made of silver. Like modern nickels, all buffalo nickels were struck in an alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel. Please see the question "What is the value of a 1937 US nickel?" for more information.
the nickel.
Please don't assume that all old coins are made of silver. All US nickels except special "war nickels" made during 1942-45 are struck in the same alloy of 25% nickel and 75% copper. There's more information at the question "What is the value of a 1937 US nickel?"
Copper-nickel, not silver. The only nickels that ever contained any silver were the famous "war nickels" made from 1942 to 1945, when silver replaced nickel metal because nickel was needed for the war effort.
The nickel.
nickel
There were no nickels made in 1932 or 1933.Most nickels dated 1934 through 1937 are worth anywhere from a dollar or so up to several dollars but it depends a lot on their condition and mint mark. For specific answers look for questions in the form "What is the value of a [date] US nickel?"
What you're seeing isn't an E and isn't a mint mark. It's an "F" which is the initial of the coin's designer James Earle Fraser. The mint mark, if there is one, would be on the back under the words FIVE CENTS. (FWIW, the US has never used an E mint mark) Please see the question "What is the value of a 1937 US nickel?" for more information.
All US nickels are the same Diameter 21.2mm and weigh 5 grams, so if its bigger than that, it's not genuine.
All standard US nickels are 21.2 mm in diameter; one US inch is 25.4 mm. If your coin isn't the same size as a current Jefferson nickel it's a novelty item that sells in gift shops for a few dollars.
This coin is also often called a Buffalo nickel. Both names are about equally common.Please see the question "What is the value of a 1937 US nickel?" for more information.1937 Indian Head nickels are common. Average values for circulated coins are 25 cents to about $2.00 depending on the grade of the coin.1937 is a common date, values for most coins are 25 cents to $3.00 depending on the grade.See other post