Numismatic

1913 Buffalo Nickel Type-I MS-63 ANACS (Gen 1 Holder)

---

In 1913, the United States introduced a striking new five-cent piece that departed from traditional classical allegories. This coin, known as the Type I Buffalo Nickel, represents the very beginning of a celebrated design series. The obverse displays a powerful profile of a Native American, a composite portrait created from multiple individuals to capture a realistic representation of America's indigenous peoples. The reverse of this copper-nickel coin features a detailed depiction of an American bison, commonly referred to as a buffalo. On this original Type I variety, the bison stands proudly on a raised mound of dirt, which holds the denomination. This specific piece has survived in excellent condition, certified as Mint State 63, preserving the intricate textures of the animal's fur and the bold lines of the portrait just as they left the Philadelphia Mint over a century ago.