Numismatic

1927 Buffalo Nickel XF

---

The five-cent piece minted in 1927 stands as a classic representative of early twentieth-century American coinage. Struck in Philadelphia, this particular specimen is preserved in Extra Fine condition, allowing observers to appreciate the finer details of its celebrated artwork. The composition of the coin is primarily copper, containing no precious metal content, yet its value to history lies in its evocative imagery. On the obverse, the profile of an American Indian faces right, a portrait rendered with deep texture and dignity. The word LIBERTY is inscribed along the upper right edge, while the date 1927 is clearly stamped at the lower left. This design, created by James Earle Fraser, captured a rugged, naturalistic aesthetic that departed significantly from the more traditional, European-style allegorical figures common on previous United States currency. The reverse of the coin is dedicated to a massive bison standing atop a raised mound of earth. Above the animal, the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is accompanied by the Latin motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. Below the mound, the denomination FIVE CENTS is boldly displayed. This combination of powerful native subjects makes the 1927 nickel a fascinating artifact of American design history.