Type 1 or Type 2 Buffalo Nickel?

Not sure why I have problems seeing which one it is. They both look about the same to me.

 

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Maybe it would help you if you used the terms used years ago. Variety #1 (first issued) was Bison on Mound and variety #2 (used for all years except 1913) was Bison on Plane. For the Bison on Plane, the ground is flat from left to right. Yours is on a mound and goes up hill to the bison's front feet.

 

Thanks. I did realize I put "Type" instead of "Variety" after I started the thread but no way to edit the title after I started the thread. Probably did this because I was looking at some 1956 Franklin Proofs I have for Type 1 and Type 2 prior to looking at this coin. Thanks for the explanation.

 

That's a type I

 

It's a type I, the buffalo is on a mound.

 

Has to be the best US coin design in history. You get a whole quarter's worth of design on a nickel. I buy high grade examples of these every once in a while just on principal.

 

Thanks everyone. Wishful thinking on the variety 2.

 

I agree. Wish I had more of them though.

 

Ditto above. Here's what they look like together. First up, Type/Variety 1....



Now, Type/Variety 2....

 

Here's how I tell the difference:

In a Type 1, the words FIVE CENTS are carved into the side of the hill that the buffalo is standing on. In a Type 2, the words FIVE CENTS are carved into a hollowed out area below the hill.

 

Now that is a good example..Thanks..and thanks Leadfoot. That is an easy way to tell the difference.

 

You are welcome.

As I recall it, the change was made because FIVE CENTS wore off quickly, and they were afraid people wouldn't be able to tell how much it would be worth (as if the size or design wouldn't give it away, lol ).

What always was curious to me was they never made the same kind of change to the date on the obverse. As a result, we have the "dateless" buffalos that are so prevalent. I wonder why they never improved the obverse -- I guess they didn't think the date was important, but to us collectors it sure is.

 

This is interesting because they did change the Standing Liberty Quarter in 1925 because of the same issue.

 

So true..I was able to find a bunch of key date buffalo nickels.Once I put the acid to them. What a waste. No idea why they didn't think of correcting the obverse date problem.

 

Sorry, I want to refine the wording slightly. Variety #2 was also used for some 1913's.

 

To answer your question, if you are using the redbook guide, the Variety 1 appears to have the horizontal line more distant and near the top of the mound while this appears to be closer to the location of Variety 2. The depth indicates variety 1. Thus the quandary.

That said, the much better comparison photos by Texasjarhead removes all doubt.

Now this does bring up the point that the Philadelphia Reverse of Variety 1 IS different than the Denver Variety 1 which shows the more prominent and lower horizontal line, at least upon first impressions from my observations on the redbook Philadelphia Variety I and texasjarheads Denver Variety I.