Numismatic

1937-D 3 Legged Buffalo Nickel VF

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The 1937 five-cent piece struck at the Denver Mint holds a special place in American numismatics due to a celebrated production anomaly. While the standard issue depicts a majestic American bison standing on a raised mound, a specific run of these coins emerged with a striking variation. On these pieces, the front leg of the bison appears to be missing entirely, a phenomenon that occurred during the die-polishing process at the mint. James Earle Fraser designed this iconic coin series. The front side displays a detailed, dignified profile of a Native American, while the reverse features the famous bison, modeled after a real animal named Black Diamond. On the reverse, below the animal, the denomination is rendered as FIVE CENTS, alongside the Denver mint mark, represented by a letter D. Collectors classify this specific three-legged variety as a highly sought-after curiosity, and this particular specimen survives in a certified Very Fine condition, showing honest wear while preserving the key details of this legendary mint error.