Numismatic

1927-S Buffalo Nickel VF

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The 1927 Buffalo nickel stands as a classic representative of early twentieth-century American coinage. Created from the artistic vision of James Earle Fraser, this five-cent piece departs from traditional allegorical figures to celebrate the rugged heritage of the American West. The coin was struck at the San Francisco Mint, denoted by the small S mint mark located on the reverse side. On the obverse, a powerful profile of a Native American facing right dominates the design. The word LIBERTY is inscribed along the upper right edge, while the date 1927 is clearly visible at the lower left, just below the shoulder. Fraser's design captures a deeply textured and realistic portrait that remains one of the most recognizable faces in numismatic history. The reverse of the coin features a magnificent American bison standing on a raised mound. Above the animal, the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and E PLURIBUS UNUM span the upper arch. Below the bison, the face value FIVE CENTS is accompanied by the S mint mark, indicating its origin in San Francisco. This particular specimen survives in Very Fine condition, showing pleasing detail across the high points of both the portrait and the bison.