1913 BUFFALOES is what the post heading is supposed to read.. As you know, the Liberty Head five cent nickel was discontinued in 1912. It was replaced with the Indian Head/ Bison Back (buffalo) five cent coin designed by Felix Schlag. The 1912 Liberty Head gave us two new varieties of Liberty Head nickels. All nickels, including the Liberty Head were struck at the Philadelphia Mint, that is, until 1912. 1912 was the first year nickels were struck at all rhree mints (Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco), thus collectors could acquire three Liberty Head varieties: the no mint mark Philadelphia nickel, the "D" mint mark Denver coin and the "S" mint mark San Francisco. The decision to replace the Liberty Head nickel caused a great rarity in 1913 because the Mint Director decided to allow five 1913 Liberty Head Nickels be struck in proof. This image is courtesy of Coin Facts and includes a history lineage of ownership of the five coins: http://www.coinfacts.com/nickels/liberty_head_nickels/1913_liberty_head_five_cents.htm In 1913 the mint began striking the Indian Head,/Bison Back (later referred to as the Buffalo Nickel) coins at all three mints. Three more varieties, right? No! Actually two types with a total of six varieties! The first type Buffalo Nickel in 1913 known as Type 1 has the Bison standing on a mound and the denomination (FIVE CENTS) on the bottom of the mound. Image courtesy of Coin Facts and Superior Galleries: http://www.coinfacts.com/nickels/buffalo_nickels/1913_buffalo_nickel_type_1.htm After an initial striking of the coins by all mints, someone noticed the denomination and the date of the coin were experiencing too much wear. Since the denomination of the coin was more important than the date, the mint decided to do something about the reverse to maintain the denomination, but to leave the obverse of the coin intact. The bottom of the mound was removed and the date was made incuse. Thus Type 2. Image courtesy of Coin Facts and Superior Galleries: http://www.coinfacts.com/nickels/buffalo_nickels/1913_buffalo_nickel_type_2.htm Clinker
Clinker: Nice, but I like to title the way it is better, reminds me of those ol' folks! (just kidding)
Thank you once again Clinker! The Buffalo Nickels are a very interesting "breed" to look at and collect. I wish I had started collecting the "BUHHALOES" a long time ago. Thanks again! swick
