Numismatic

1917 Buffalo Nickel XF

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The 1917 five-cent piece stands as a striking example of early twentieth-century American coinage. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint, this coin is notable for the absence of a mint mark, a traditional characteristic of issues from this primary facility. It presents a window into a bygone era of design, preserved in Extra Fine condition where the finer details of the engraving remain remarkably clear. On the obverse, the coin displays a powerful profile of an American Indian, facing right. The word LIBERTY is inscribed along the upper right edge, with the year 1917 clearly visible at the lower left. This portrait, created by artist James Earle Fraser, captured a rugged realism that departed from the more idealized figures of liberty common on earlier coinage. The reverse of the coin is dedicated to a majestic American bison, depicted standing on a raised mound of earth. The words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA curve along the top rim, while the denomination FIVE CENTS is positioned directly beneath the bison's grassy perch. This combination of iconic American imagery makes the 1917 issue a compelling subject for anyone fascinated by the artistry of United States coins.