Numismatic

1914 Buffalo Nickel XF

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The 1914 Buffalo Nickel stands as a classic representative of early twentieth-century American coinage. Struck in Philadelphia, this five-cent piece captures a rugged, uniquely American aesthetic that departed from traditional European-style allegorical figures. The coin is composed primarily of copper, carrying a distinct presence from the pre-1933 era of United States currency. On the obverse, a powerful right-facing profile of a Native American dominates the field. This composite portrait is accompanied by the word LIBERTY and the clear date of 1914. The design, created by James Earle Fraser, celebrated the indigenous peoples of the continent with unprecedented realism and dignity. The reverse depicts a massive American bison standing on a raised mound, modeled after a famous animal named Black Diamond. The inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and FIVE CENTS frame the majestic beast, alongside the traditional Latin motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. This particular specimen survives in Extra Fine condition, preserving the fine details of the bison's textured fur and the strong lines of the obverse portrait for modern observers to appreciate.