Numismatic

1935-S Buffalo Nickel BU

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The 1935 five-cent piece from the San Francisco Mint stands as a classic representative of twentieth-century American coinage. Struck in a base metal alloy, this brilliant uncirculated specimen showcases a celebrated design created by the artist James Earle Fraser. The imagery on both sides captures a powerful, rustic aesthetic that departs from traditional classical allegories, opting instead for subjects native to the North American continent. On the obverse, a detailed profile of a Native American man faces right. The word LIBERTY is inscribed along the upper right edge, while the year 1935 is positioned at the lower left. The portrait is rendered with a rugged texture that emphasizes the strength of the subject's features, complemented by traditional hair ties and feathers. The reverse side features an American bison standing atop a raised mound of earth, facing left. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA arches over the top, accompanied by the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM just above the animal's back. Below the mound, the denomination FIVE CENTS is clearly visible, with the small S mint mark of the San Francisco Mint positioned directly underneath, indicating its West Coast origin.