Numismatic

1913 Type-II Buffalo Nickel Good

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In 1913, the United States Mint introduced a striking new five-cent piece that departed dramatically from traditional coinage designs. Created by sculptor James Earle Fraser, this coin captured the spirit of the American West. The obverse presents a powerful, detailed profile of a Native American chief, while the reverse features a massive American bison standing on a flat ground line, representing the Type II variety of this inaugural year. The Type II design was a crucial modification made during the coin's first year of production. On the earlier Type I version, the bison stood on a raised mound, which raised the denomination text and made it highly susceptible to wearing away quickly in circulation. By flattening the ground beneath the bison into a straight line, the mint recessed the words FIVE CENTS, protecting the inscription from premature wear. This particular specimen survived in daily commerce, displaying a honest, worn appearance classified as Good condition. This copper-nickel coin is a sovereign issue backed by the United States government. The reverse displays the classic American mottoes of E PLURIBUS UNUM alongside the denomination, serving as a tangible connection to a pivotal moment in American numismatic history when everyday currency was transformed into a canvas for national art.