NICKEL FIVE-CENT PIECE 1913 Buffalo or Indian, Type I

For those who thought the Nickel was called a "Nickel" because of the material it was made of - think again. And for those who think the proper way to refer to this coin is to call it the "Buffalo Nickel", you're wrong too. The proper name for the design is the "Indian". It replaced the Liberty Head nickel in 1913.

The obverse portrait was modeled from life by studying three Indian models, while the reverse was styled from a bison, popularly called a "buffalo," at the Bronx Zoo. The obverse depicts the head of an Indian facing right, with LIBERTY in small letters at the upper right edge, and the date at the lower left. The reverse shows a bison standing on a raised mound, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and E PLURIBUS UNUM above and FIVE CENTS on a mound below. It was found that the relief of the mound caused the inscription in that area to wear quickly, so the bottom part of the reverse was subsequently redesigned, creating the so-called Type II. The Type I is distinguished by the presence of a mound with FIVE CENTS inscribed on it, as noted. Production of business strikes was accomplished at Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco, with Philadelphia registering by far the largest mintage. At Philadelphia, 1,250 Matte Proof examples were made for collectors.

Examples of the 1913 Type I Buffalo nickel are readily available in all grades from About Good to Uncirculated. Superb Uncirculated coins are scarce, although not rare. Matte Proofs have survived in relatively few numbers, and of the 1,250 minted, probably not more than a few hundred still exist. As certain business- strikes closely resemble Matte Proofs, care is to be taken when buying one of these.

Next time you are at Grandma's house, ask her if she has any old coins. It's very likely you will find one as many were snatched up and held for posterity.