The Indian Head or Buffalo Type (depending on if you like the
front or back better) Nickel was produced from 1913-1938. James E.
Fraser used three different Native Americans to model for his design
of the “head.” The buffalo model was “Black
Diamond,” a bison in the New York Zoological Gardens. With two
major varieties and many minor varieties, it can be a fun series to
collect. For those looking for the “best of the best” in
condition, look to the tip of the horn on the buffalo and the edges
of the numbers in the date.
Good reference works for those with more interest in this type of
coin are “The Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial
Coins” by Walter Breen and “The Complete Guide to Buffalo
Nickels” by David Lange.
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