Buffalo Nickel Club

A coin club dedicated to Buffalo Nickels and their collectors. 

Welcome to the Buffalo Nickel Club! We are glad you dropped by. The Buffalo Nickel Club’s mission is to guide, inform, and provide expertise as the complete Buffalo Nickel resource. Please feel free to browse the site where you will find an extensive archive of information. And, don’t forget to visit the forum where the experts hang out!

We are thrilled to have you join our community of passionate and knowledgeable collectors who share a love for the iconic Buffalo nickel. We believe that through education, community, and preservation, we can deepen our understanding and appreciation of this beloved coin.

Our club is dedicated to providing our members with the knowledge and resources they need to build a high-quality collection. 

We also strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where members can connect, share, and learn from one another. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting out, you’ll find a warm and supportive community here.

We believe that by working together, we can preserve the legacy of the Buffalo nickel for future generations to enjoy and appreciate. We are excited to share this passion with you and look forward to exploring the rich history and significance of this coin together.

Thank you for choosing to be a part of our community, we are looking forward to getting to know you, and sharing our love for the Buffalo Nickel.

1938-D/D from PCGS

1916 Double Die Obverse from PCGS

Join the Buffalo Nickel Club

Be apart of the community today.

JoinForum

The Buffalo nickel or Indian Head nickel is a copper-nickel five-cent piece that was struck by the United States Mint from 1913 to 1938. It was designed by sculptor James Earle Fraser.

1913 Type 1 from PCGS

As part of a drive to beautify the coinage, five denominations of US coins had received new designs between 1907 and 1909. In 1911, Taft administration officials decided to replace Charles E. Barber’s Liberty Head design for the nickel, and commissioned Fraser to do the work. They were impressed by Fraser’s designs showing a Native American and an American bison. The designs were approved in 1912, but were delayed several months because of objections from the Hobbs Manufacturing Company, which made mechanisms to detect slugs in nickel-operated machines. The company was not satisfied by changes made in the coin by Fraser, and in February 1913, Treasury Secretary Franklin MacVeagh decided to issue the coins despite the objections.

1936-D 3/12 Legs from PCGS

Despite attempts by the Mint to adjust the design, the coins proved to strike indistinctly, and to be subject to wear—the dates were easily worn away in circulation. In 1938, after the expiration of the minimum 25-year period during which the design could not be replaced without congressional authorization, it was replaced by the Jefferson nickel, designed by Felix Schlag. Fraser’s design is admired today, and has been used on commemorative coins and the gold American Buffalo series.

View more Articles

In the article section, we will be diving into the history and significance of the Buffalo nickel. We will explore the coin's origin, its designer James Earle Fraser, the symbolism and meaning behind the design, and the significance of the coin during the era it was minted. We will also take a closer look at the different types of Buffalo nickels and the Mint State grading scale that is used to determine the condition and value of the coin. Whether you're a seasoned collector or just starting to learn about this iconic coin, this section will provide valuable insights and information that will deepen your understanding and appreciation of the Buffalo nickel.

Read More Articles