USA "FIVE CENTS" Buffalo Nickel 1916
USA, Philadelphia
Rarity
Extremely Rare
Attributes of Coins
| Region | USA |
|---|---|
| Denomination | 5 cents |
| Krause number | KM# 134 |
| Mintage | 600 |
| 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
This is the lowest mintage entry in the proof series of Buffalo Nickels, a fact clearly reflected in the rarity of examples in the marketplace. The Philadelphia Mint declined to strike proofs of Barber's old Liberty Head Dimes, Quarters and Halves, as it anticipated that the new designs of 1916 would be ready in time for proof set sales (gold proofs were also suspended for this same reason). In the absence of silver proof sets, sales of the two minor coins were limited to the minor proof sets, thus accounting for their low mintage. The 1916 proof nickel is perhaps the epitome of the Type 2 design, as the Mint strengthened the word LIBERTY, a feature that had always been deficient, even on proofs. It should have taken such care in engraving the final numeral of the date, as the 6 is clearly taller than the other figures.Read More
