1936 Buffalo Nickel MS-66 PCGS

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The 1936 Buffalo Nickel stands as a classic representative of twentieth-century American coinage art. This particular specimen is certified in an exceptional Mint State 66 condition, showcasing the intricate details of a design that captures the spirit of the American West. Created by the renowned sculptor James Earle Fraser, the coin features two distinct and powerful subjects that deviate from traditional neoclassical allegorical figures. On the obverse, a strong portrait of an American Indian faces right, accompanied by the legible inscription of the word LIBERTY. Fraser compiled the features of multiple Native American individuals to create this composite portrait, resulting in a highly detailed and dignified representation. The reverse of the coin displays a massive American bison standing atop a raised mound of earth. Below the bison, the denomination is clearly marked as FIVE CENTS. Because this coin was struck at the Philadelphia Mint, it does not bear a mint mark, which is characteristic of the facility's output for this issue. The absence of a mint mark, combined with the high-grade preservation, allows observers to appreciate the original textures and relief of Fraser's artwork exactly as it was produced in 1936.