1916 Buffalo Nickel

About This Coin

The 1916 Buffalo Nickel is a United States nickel from the Buffalo Nickels 1913-1938 series. In 1916, coins were struck at the Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Denver Mints with a combined mintage of 152.2 million. This represents the second-highest annual mintage in the series, above the series median of 48.7 million. The obverse features a Native American portrait that James Earle Fraser described as a composite of several chiefs, including Iron Tail (Lakota) and Two Moons (Cheyenne), and the reverse displays an American bison, traditionally identified as Black Diamond of New York's Central Park menagerie, standing on flat ground. Produced during the Progressive Era, when President Theodore Roosevelt championed a renaissance in American coin design that produced some of the most beautiful coins ever struck. Struck in 75% copper, 25% nickel, weighing 5 grams, 21.2 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Collectors have cataloged 7 known die varieties for this date across 4 categories, including atypical die clash, doubled die obverse, doubled die reverse and 1 other types. Across its variants, estimated values range from $8 to $155K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $282K in MS64 grade at Bowers & Merena. Designed by James Earle Fraser.