USA "FIVE CENTS" Buffalo Nickel 1913
USA, San Francisco
Rarity
Common
Attributes of Coins
| Region | USA |
|---|---|
| Denomination | 5 cents |
| Krause number | KM# 133 |
| Mintage | 2,105,000 |
| 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)
1913
LIBERTY
Reverse:
Animals
Description:
Bison
Creators:
James Earle Fraser (F)
E PLURIBUS UNUM
FIVE CENTS
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Introduction of Coins
With its low mintage, the 1913 S Type 1 nickel would be very rare today in Mint State were it not for the general hoarding that accompanies all first-year coins. Even so, the smaller population of the western states limited the number saved, and this is the scarcest of the three mints across all grades. Gems of this coin are especially scarce, as the San Francisco Mint seemed to have a great deal of difficulty in striking this type fully. Many Mint State survivors are, like the example shown, quite poorly struck. Also commonly seen are "chin whiskers," a bold die clash of E PLURIBUS UNUM which looks like rough hair below the Indian's chin. At the same time, an impression of the chin on the reverse makes these minute letters nearly impossible to read.Read More
