5 cents buffalo indian head

Do you have a buffalo nickel with no date on it and wonder how to find out its value? You may see a lot of websites that give buffalo nickel key dates for the "S" and "D" mint marks.

Designed by famed sculptor James E. Fraser, the Buffalo nickel or Indian Head nickel is considered the most uniquely American coin. The Indian Head nickel is more commonly referred to as a Buffalo nickel. Even though the coin is known as a buffalo nickel, the creature on the reverse of the coin is actually an American Bison. The term buffalo is a misnomer for bison, dating back to early American settlers. First minted in , there were two distinct varieties of Buffalo nickels that year. Another well-known error variety is the D 3-Legged Buffalo.

5 cents buffalo indian head

And the bison design for the reverse made a perfect companion image. It is arguably the most "American" of all United States coins and is a collector favorite. Fraser's artistic prowess earned the undying respect of a dying Augustus Saint-Gaudens, who recommended Fraser to President Theodore Roosevelt to sculpture the official presidential bust. Roosevelt and Fraser became quick friends. Despite the fact that William Howard Taft was president in , it was Roosevelt who recommended that Fraser be chosen to design the copper-nickel 5-cent coin, overdue by five years for a design change. In the early 20th century, coin designs were usually changed every 25 years automatically. The obverse design for the Indian Head 5-cent coin, commonly called the "Buffalo nickel," depicts a large, powerful portrait of an Indian, facing right. The appearance is rough-hewn, unlike the smooth cheeks and other facial features that characterize innumerable Liberty renditions. The portrait is purported to be a composite of three Indians, although the identities of the models have been disputed. A few Native Americans laid claim to be the model for the coin. All three visited Roosevelt while in New York City, according to Fraser, who studied and photographed them during their stay. Fraser's designer initial, F, appears incuse below the date on the obverse. More is known about the American bison that served as the model for the reverse design. Fraser employed a little artistic license to portray the bison as though he were living free on the Great Plains. The stuffed head of Black Diamond was displayed at a major coin convention during the s.

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The Buffalo nickel or Indian Head nickel is a copper—nickel five-cent piece that was struck by the United States Mint from to It was designed by sculptor James Earle Fraser. As part of a drive to beautify the coinage, five denominations of US coins had received new designs between and In , Taft administration officials decided to replace Charles E. Barber 's Liberty Head design for the nickel, and commissioned Fraser to do the work. They were impressed by Fraser's designs showing a Native American and an American bison. The designs were approved in , but were delayed several months because of objections from the Hobbs Manufacturing Company, which made mechanisms to detect slugs in nickel-operated machines.

But have you ever wondered whose portrait decorates the front of the coin? This unique coin stepped away from the traditional Lady Liberty by featuring a realistic portrait of a Native American front combined with a bison on the reverse to showcase the beauty of the American West. Also, for his Indian head depiction, Fraser used living models, something virtually unheard of in an era when the classical profile from Greece or Rome was considered the highest ideal of art. The finished portrait possesses great character and shows the rugged individuality of the American Indian. Although there is some debate about the third Indian chief, Fraser noted Two Moons and Iron Tail by name and could not accurately recall the third chief. Despite the controversy, Chief John Big Tree profusely claimed that he was actually the third model.

5 cents buffalo indian head

And the bison design for the reverse made a perfect companion image. It is arguably the most "American" of all United States coins and is a collector favorite. Fraser's artistic prowess earned the undying respect of a dying Augustus Saint-Gaudens, who recommended Fraser to President Theodore Roosevelt to sculpture the official presidential bust. Roosevelt and Fraser became quick friends. Despite the fact that William Howard Taft was president in , it was Roosevelt who recommended that Fraser be chosen to design the copper-nickel 5-cent coin, overdue by five years for a design change. In the early 20th century, coin designs were usually changed every 25 years automatically.

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During an "oral history" interview with the sculptor Beniamino Bufano recorded in , he stated that he "made" and "designed the buffalo" for the coin, when he was Fraser's apprentice. Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources. All buffalo nickels have the designer's initials on them regardless of the mint facility where it was manufactured. Tools Tools. All coins Ex: Teich Family Collection. The Mint received orders from banks in anticipation of the "Washington nickel". His department was straining to produce enough new dies to meet production. Before spending big dollars on a rare buffalo nickel, make sure a reputable coin dealer authenticates it. You can use these tips to try to better date your no-date buffalo nickel. Fraser, who had been an assistant to Saint-Gaudens, approached the Mint and rapidly produced concepts and designs.

The Indian Head Cent is one of the most popular coins to collect, surpassed only by the Morgan Dollar. They have been popular from the start.

Forty nickels were sent by the Mint for the ceremony; most were distributed to the Native American chiefs who participated. According to Fraser, the animal that appears on the reverse is the American bison Black Diamond. A few Native Americans laid claim to be the model for the coin. Adams , enquiring if Sam Resurrection, a Choctaw was a model for the nickel. When the Buffalo nickel had been in circulation for the minimum 25 years, it was replaced with little discussion or protest. He has over 50 years of numismatic and writing experience, including a monthly magazine column for the American Numismatic Association. Black Diamond's mounted head is still extant and has been exhibited at coin conventions. Coinage of the United States. Create profiles to personalise content. Roosevelt and Fraser became quick friends. The D Three-Legged Bison coin resulted from a Mint technician overpolishing a reverse die, taking away a portion of one of the two forelegs. His department was straining to produce enough new dies to meet production.