Numismatic

1923 Buffalo Nickel BU

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The 1923 Buffalo Nickel stands as a classic representative of twentieth century American coinage. Minted in Philadelphia, this five cent piece is preserved in Brilliant Uncirculated condition, allowing the fine details of its highly textured surfaces to remain remarkably clear. The design is the work of sculptor James Earle Fraser, who departed from traditional neoclassical allegories to capture imagery native to the North American continent. On the obverse, a powerful right facing portrait of a Native American dominates the field. The single word LIBERTY is inscribed along the upper right edge, complementing the rugged, realistic features of the profile. This side of the coin celebrates the diverse heritage of the continent's original inhabitants with a composite portrait drawn from real life models. The reverse of the coin features a massive American bison, commonly referred to as a buffalo, standing atop a raised mound of earth. Above the animal's back, the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM is visible, while the denomination FIVE CENTS is boldly struck below the mound. This iconic combination of motifs makes the 1923 issue a fascinating study in early twentieth century artistic expression.