Numismatic

1917-S Buffalo Nickel Fine

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The 1917 Buffalo nickel stands as a striking example of early twentieth-century American coinage design. Created by the renowned sculptor James Earle Fraser, this five-cent piece departs from traditional classical allegories to showcase imagery deeply rooted in the American landscape. The obverse presents a powerful, detailed profile of a Native American, accompanied by the simple inscription of the word LIBERTY. On the reverse, Fraser captured the strength of the West with a depiction of an American bison. The animal stands firmly on a raised mound of earth, a design element characteristic of the early years of this series. Positioned beneath the bison is the "S" mint mark, indicating its origin from the San Francisco Mint, alongside the denomination of FIVE CENTS and the national motto, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.