USA "FIVE CENTS" Buffalo Nickel 1926
USA, San Francisco
Rarity
Uncommon
Attributes of Coins
| Region | USA |
|---|---|
| Denomination | 5 cents |
| Krause number | KM# 134 |
| Mintage | 970,000 |
| Metal | Copper-Nickel |
| thickness | 1.95 mm |
| diameter | 21.21 mm |
| weight | 5 g |
Obverse:
Great people
Description:
Iron Tail (Native American, chief of the Oglala Lakota)
Creators:
James Earle Fraser (F)
LIBERTY
Reverse:
Animals
Description:
Bison
Creators:
James Earle Fraser (F)
E PLURIBUS UNUM
FIVE CENTS
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Introduction of Coins
What a difference a few years makes. The 1926 S nickel had a mintage not much lower than that of the 1931 S issue, but it it vastly more rare in Mint State. While the later date was not released in large numbers until 1935, when speculators were ready to pounce on it, the 1926 S nickels were seemingly all issued to circulation at or near their time of minting. It's doubtful that more than a few hundred survive unworn. Most examples are poorly struck on one or both sides from dies that show varying degrees of erosion. As is usually the case with coins having mintmarks on their reverse, it is those dies that were used the longest and are most likely to display heavy wear and distorted peripheries. Collectors hoarded this issue from circulation starting in the late 1930s, but its modest mintage largely stymied their efforts. It remains scarce in lower grades and rare in grades VF and higher.Read More
