Numismatic

1935-S Buffalo Nickel AU

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The 1935-S Buffalo nickel stands as a classic representative of mid-century American coinage. Minted in San Francisco, this five-cent piece is celebrated for its distinctly American imagery, replacing traditional allegorical figures with subjects native to the North American continent. This particular specimen survives in Almost Uncirculated condition, preserving the fine details of its original engraving. The obverse of the coin presents a powerful profile of a Native American, facing right. The word LIBERTY is inscribed along the upper right rim, with the year 1935 positioned clearly at the lower left. James Earle Fraser designed this iconic portrait, capturing a textured, realistic representation that remains one of the most recognizable faces in numismatic history. On the reverse, a massive American bison stands on a raised mound, symbolizing the rugged spirit of the American West. The inscriptions include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA along the top, the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM just above the bison's back, and the denomination FIVE CENTS at the bottom. The S mint mark, indicating its origin at the San Francisco Mint, is positioned below the mound.