Numismatic

1930 Buffalo Nickel Good+

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The 1930 Buffalo nickel is a classic example of early twentieth century American coinage, carrying a design that departs from traditional classical allegories to celebrate the rugged spirit of the American West. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint, this five cent piece carries no mint mark, a traditional feature for coins produced at the main facility during this era. The obverse of the coin presents a powerful profile of an American Indian, facing right. The word LIBERTY is inscribed along the upper right edge, accompanied by the date 1930 at the lower left. This design, created by sculptor James Earle Fraser, captured a highly realistic portrait by combining the features of multiple Native American individuals. On the reverse, a massive American bison stands on a raised mound, dominating the field. The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM is positioned above the animal's lower back, while the denomination FIVE CENTS is clearly marked at the very bottom. This coin, graded in Good condition, shows the honest wear of a piece that circulated widely during a transformative era in American history.