1913 Buffalo Nickel Type II BU

Classic "End of the Frontier" Buffalo Nickel in Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) Condition

In 1913, famed American sculptor James Earle Fraser was commissioned by the U.S. Mint to design a circulating five cent piece to replace the Liberty nickel that had been in circulation since 1883. The design he created was immediately recognized and is still recognized today as one of the best coin designs ever produce by the U.S. Mint - or for that matter by any other mint.

The iconic Indian Head on the obverse is modeled after three chiefs: Iron Tail of the Sioux, Two Moons of the Cheyenne, and John Big Tree of the Seneca nation. The composite image was intended to represent a type, rather than an actual person. The obverse depicts the head of an Indian facing right, with LIBERTY in small letters at the upper right edge, and the date at the lower left. The reverse was styled from Black Diamond, a North American bison, housed at Central Park Menagerie (Central Park Zoo). The reverse shows a bison standing on the modified straight line (mound was only present in Type 1), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and E PLURIBUS UNUM above, and FIVE CENTS on a mound below.

Shortly after the coin was put into production in 1913, the nickel was already starting to wear out in circulation because the Buffalo stood on a mound and "Five Cents" rose too high. It was found that the relief of the mound caused the inscription in that area to wear quickly, so the bottom part of the reverse was subsequently redesigned, creating the so-called Type II. The Type I is distinguished by the presence of a mound with FIVE CENTS inscribed on it.

This Type One Buffalo Nickel is therefore not only the first year of issue for this spectacular "End of the Frontier" coin, it's also the last year for the original design, making it highly sought after by collectors. Secure your example today in Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) condition.