Numismatic

1916 Buffalo Nickel Good/VG

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The 1916 Buffalo Nickel stands as a classic representative of early twentieth-century American coinage. Struck in copper-nickel, this five-cent piece captures a distinctively rugged aesthetic that departs from traditional classical allegories. The coin is graded in Good to Very Good condition, showing honest wear from its time in circulation while retaining the core elements of its historic imagery. On the obverse, a powerful right-facing profile of a Native American dominates the field. The simple inscription of liberty is clearly legible along the upper right edge. This portrait was created by sculptor James Earle Fraser, who combined the features of multiple individuals to create a composite representation of Native American heritage. The reverse of the coin features a majestic American bison standing on a raised mound. The inscriptions read United States of America across the top, accompanied by the traditional motto E Pluribus Unum. Below the animal, the face value of Five Cents is prominently displayed. This 1916 issue was produced at the Philadelphia Mint, carrying no mint mark, and remains a favorite for those discovering the artistry of circulating coinage.