Numismatic

1938-D Buffalo Nickel VF

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The 1938-D Buffalo nickel represents the final year of one of America's most celebrated circulating designs. Struck at the Denver Mint, this five-cent piece is composed of copper and nickel, carrying the distinctive "D" mint mark on its reverse. This particular specimen survives in Very Fine condition, showing moderate wear but retaining its essential design details and clear inscriptions. Created by sculptor James Earle Fraser, the coin's imagery celebrates the spirit of the American West. The obverse features a powerful profile portrait of a Native American chieftain, accompanied by the inscription "LIBERTY" and the 1938 date. Fraser's design departed from traditional neoclassical allegories, opting instead for a realistic portrayal of indigenous American subjects. On the reverse, a massive American bison stands atop a raised mound. The Denver mint mark sits below the denomination "FIVE CENTS", while the national mottoes are integrated into the design. In this Very Fine grade, the iconic textures of the bison's hide and the native portrait remain clearly visible, offering a fascinating window into early twentieth-century American coinage.