Numismatic

1937-S Buffalo Nickel XF

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The 1937 Buffalo nickel represents a classic era of American coinage, showcasing a design that captures the spirit of the American West. Struck at the San Francisco Mint, this five-cent piece is a testament to the artistry of James Earle Fraser, who created one of the most recognizable and beloved coin designs in United States history. The front of the coin features a powerful, detailed profile of a Native American, a composite portrait that Fraser created to represent the indigenous peoples of the continent. The word LIBERTY is inscribed along the upper right edge, with the year 1937 clearly visible at the base of the portrait. On the reverse, a massive American bison stands on a raised mound, symbolizing the vast wildlife of the plains. Below the bison, the denomination is written as FIVE CENTS, while the United States of America and the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM are inscribed above. Collectors can identify the San Francisco origin of this particular coin by the small S mint mark located just beneath the denomination.