Legends and Varieties of the Buffalo Nickel

The Buffalo nickel is one of the most recognizable coins in American history—but behind its iconic design is a story filled with art, controversy, rare coins, famous minting mistakes, and a few mysteries that collectors are still debating today.

In this episode of Coins Coins Coins, we explore the history of the Buffalo nickel, also known as the Indian Head nickel, produced by the United States Mint from 1913 to 1938. Discover how sculptor James Earle Fraser created the design, the mystery surrounding the Native American portrait, and the story of the American bison that inspired the reverse.

We also dig into some of the most collectible Buffalo nickels, including the legendary 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo, the rare 1918/7-D overdate, the 1926-S Buffalo nickel, and other key dates and varieties.

You’ll learn why so many Buffalo nickels are missing their dates, why the beautiful design caused headaches for the U.S. Mint, how collectors evaluate Buffalo nickels today, and why the design eventually disappeared from circulation—only to return decades later.

Whether you’re an experienced coin collector or just discovering numismatics, this is the remarkable story behind one of America’s greatest coins.

Coins Coins Coins — People. Places. Stories. Coins.

The Buffalo nickel is one of the most recognizable coins in American history—but behind its iconic design is a story filled with art, controversy, rare coins, famous minting mistakes, and a few mysteries that collectors are still debating today.

In this episode of Coins Coins Coins, we explore the history of the Buffalo nickel, also known as the Indian Head nickel, produced by the United States Mint from 1913 to 1938. Discover how sculptor James Earle Fraser created the design, the mystery surrounding the Native American portrait, and the story of the American bison that inspired the reverse.

We also dig into some of the most collectible Buffalo nickels, including the legendary 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo, the rare 1918/7-D overdate, the 1926-S Buffalo nickel, and other key dates and varieties.

You’ll learn why so many Buffalo nickels are missing their dates, why the beautiful design caused headaches for the U.S. Mint, how collectors evaluate Buffalo nickels today, and why the design eventually disappeared from circulation—only to return decades later.

Whether you’re an experienced coin collector or just discovering numismatics, this is the remarkable story behind one of America’s greatest coins.

Coins Coins Coins — People. Places. Stories. Coins.