Numismatic

1928-D Buffalo Nickel VF

---

The 1928 Buffalo nickel offers a striking window into early twentieth-century American coinage. Struck at the Denver Mint, this five-cent piece carries the distinct 'D' mint mark beneath the central design on the reverse. This particular specimen survives in Very Fine condition, showing the enduring details of a design that circulated widely through daily commerce. On the obverse, a powerful profile of an Native American man faces right. The simple inscription 'LIBERTY' is positioned along the upper right edge, with the year 1928 clearly visible at the lower left. James Earle Fraser designed this iconic portrait, capturing a textured, realistic likeness that departed from traditional stylized representations of liberty. The reverse showcases a massive American bison standing atop a raised mound. The legends 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' and 'E PLURIBUS UNUM' span the space above the animal, while the denomination 'FIVE CENTS' is inscribed along the bottom border. This combination of naturalistic American subjects remains one of the most celebrated designs in the history of the nation's coinage.