Buffalo Nickel

History

These pieces are known as Buffalo, Bison, or Indian Head nickels. In the first year of issue, 1913, there were two distinct varieties, the first showing the bison on a mound, and the second with the base redesigned to a thinner, straighter line. James E. Fraser designed this nickel employing three different Indians as models. His initial F is beneath the date.
The bison was modeled after Black Diamond in the New York Zoological Gardens.
Matte proof coins were made for collectors from 1913 to 1917. Minted from 1913-1938. The most valuable Buffalo is a 1937 3-legged. Buffalo nickels weigh 5 grams and are made out of an alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel. Still looking for my first.