1923 Buffalo Nickel

About This Coin

The 1923 Buffalo Nickel is a United States nickel from the Buffalo Nickels 1913-1938 series — 10th of 23 years in the series. In 1923, coins were struck at the San Francisco and Philadelphia Mints with a combined mintage of 41.9 million. This ranks 9th of 23 years by total mintage, below the series median of 48.7 million. The obverse features a composite Native American portrait combining features of three real tribal chiefs — Iron Tail (Lakota), Two Moons (Cheyenne), and John Big Tree (Seneca) and the reverse displays an American bison (often called Black Diamond after the famous bison at the Bronx Zoo) standing on a mound. Minted during and after World War I, as America emerged as a global power and experienced the prosperity of the Roaring Twenties. Struck in 75% copper, 25% nickel, weighing 5 grams, 21.2 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Collectors have identified 3 known die varieties for this date, including doubled die obverse. Produced 8 years before the celebrated 1931 key date. Across its variants, estimated values range from $3 to $1.2K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $68K in MS66 grade at Heritage Auctions. Designed by James Earle Fraser.