Numismatic

1921 Buffalo Nickel XF

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The 1921 five-cent piece stands as a classic example of American coinage, showcasing a design created by the sculptor James Earle Fraser. This particular coin, preserved in Extra Fine condition, highlights the rugged, textured details that make the series so memorable to observe. Because this issue was struck at the Philadelphia Mint, it does not carry a mint mark, leaving the focus entirely on the artistry of the metal. On the obverse, a powerful profile of a Native American faces right. The word LIBERTY is inscribed along the upper right edge, with the date 1921 clearly visible at the lower left. Fraser's design captures a realistic, dignified portrait that departed from the more traditional neoclassical figures of earlier American currency. The reverse of the coin features a massive American bison standing atop a raised mound of earth. Above the animal, the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and E PLURIBUS UNUM span the upper field, while the denomination FIVE CENTS is positioned directly beneath the mound. The composition offers a vivid glimpse into the natural heritage of the American West.