Numismatic

1913 Type-II Buffalo Nickel AU

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In 1913, the United States introduced a five-cent piece that captured the spirit of the American frontier. Designed by sculptor James Earle Fraser, this coin departed from traditional classical allegories in favor of native themes. The obverse presents a powerful profile of a Native American, accompanied by the word LIBERTY and the date of manufacture. The reverse depicts a massive American bison, modeled after a real-life animal from the Central Park Zoo. This specific coin represents the Type II design of 1913. On the original Type I version, the bison stood on a raised mound of earth, which caused the denomination FIVE CENTS to wear away too quickly in circulation. To solve this issue, the ground was flattened and recessed, placing the denomination in a protective protective pocket. This modification ensured the coin's face value remained legible through years of use.