Numismatic

1924-D Buffalo Nickel Fine

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The 1924 Buffalo nickel, minted in Denver, represents a classic era of United States coinage. This five-cent piece, graded Fine, showcases a distinct artistic direction that moved away from traditional heraldic imagery to celebrate the natural and cultural heritage of the American continent. On the obverse, a detailed profile of a Native American faces right, accompanied by the word LIBERTY. The reverse features a massive American bison standing atop a raised mound. This particular animal was modeled after Black Diamond, a famous resident of the Central Park Zoo in New York. The inscriptions on this side include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM, the denomination FIVE CENTS, and the D mint mark representing the Denver Mint. Designed by James Earle Fraser, this nickel is composed of a copper and nickel alloy rather than precious metal. It remains a compelling study in early twentieth-century American design, capturing the rugged spirit of the West in everyday pocket change.