Numismatic

1915 Buffalo Nickel BU

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The 1915 five-cent piece stands as a remarkable example of American coinage, showcasing a design that departs from traditional classical allegories. Created by sculptor James Earle Fraser, this issue captures the spirit of the American frontier through two highly detailed portraits. The coin is struck in a copper-nickel alloy and carries no mint mark, indicating its origin at the Philadelphia Mint. On the obverse, a powerful right-facing portrait of a Native American dominates the field, with the date 1915 clearly visible in the lower left. The reverse features a magnificent American bison standing on a mound, an image that became an instant icon of American currency. The inscriptions include the motto UNUM and the face value of FIVE CENTS, completing a design that remains celebrated for its rugged, organic beauty.