Numismatic

1918-D Buffalo Nickel Fine

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The 1918 Buffalo nickel, struck at the Denver Mint, represents a classic era of American coinage design. Created by sculptor James Earle Fraser, this five-cent piece departs from traditional allegorical figures to showcase imagery deeply rooted in the American landscape. This particular specimen survives in Fine condition, showing the honest wear of a coin that circulated actively during the early twentieth century. The obverse of the coin features a powerful, right-facing portrait of an American Indian, with the word LIBERTY positioned along the upper right rim and the date 1918 clearly visible at the base of the neck. Fraser utilized a blend of features from real-life models to construct this realistic profile, capturing a sense of dignity and strength. On the reverse, a massive American bison stands on a raised mound, dominating the field. The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM is nestled above the animal's back, while the denomination FIVE CENTS is inscribed below the mound. Just beneath the denomination, the Denver Mint's distinctive D mint mark is positioned, indicating its origin at the Colorado facility. This coin stands as a fascinating artifact of early twentieth-century American design, capturing a rugged aesthetic that continues to captivate observers today.