Numismatic

1913 Buffalo Nickel Type-II MS-63 NGC

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The year 1913 marked a significant transition for United States five-cent coinage, introducing a design that celebrated the American frontier. This particular specimen represents the Type II variety of the Buffalo Nickel, struck at the Philadelphia Mint. It has been certified by professional graders as Mint State 63, preserving its original details and surfaces for modern observers to appreciate. James Earle Fraser designed this classic coin, bringing a realistic and artistic touch to American circulating currency. The obverse presents a powerful, detailed profile of a Native American man, capturing a sense of dignity and strength. Inscribed on the reverse is the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM alongside the denomination of FIVE CENTS. The reverse of the Type II coin features an American bison standing on a flat line or recessed ground, which was a modification from the earlier Type I design where the bison stood on a raised mound. This structural change protected the denomination text from premature wear, ensuring the coin's details remained legible during its time in circulation.