About Buffalo (Indian Head) Nickels

The Buffalo nickel (also known as the Indian Head) was designed by sculptor James Earl Fraser and features the head of an Indian Chief with the word “Liberty” on the obverse and a buffalo (American bison) on the reverse. First released in February 1913, the buffalo was originally pictured standing on a mound; however, the mound caused the denomination to be so raised that it often completely wore off. By May of 1913, new reverse dies had been prepared to feature the buffalo standing on a level plain.

Because of their size and the percentage of the surface that was taken up with the images, Buffalo nickels were a favorite for "Hobo Nickels," a form of American folk art in which carvers modified the pictures on the coins (for example, the Indian Chief’s head may be altered to depict a man wearing a hat, or the buffalo may be turned into a steam train)...

Due to a problem repairing a die, some three-legged Buffalo nickels were produced unknowingly in 1937. These are highly sought-after by collectors, but beware: counterfeits are common.

About our sources | Got something to add?

▼ Continue reading

Post an Event

Upcoming Events

See all 177 US Coins events


Interviews & Articles

An Interview With U.S. Pattern Coin Collector Andy Lustig

I started collecting coins when I was five years old, and I started dealing when I was 13 or 14. Most kids start wi… [more]



Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

The Original Hobo Nickel Society

The Original Hobo Nickel Society

Founded in 1992, The Original Hobo Nickel Society is mostly devoted to folk art derived from Indian Head or Buffalo… [read review or visit site]

Legendary Coins and Currency

Legendary Coins and Currency

This online exhibition from the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is a great way to get an overview… [read review or visit site]

CoinFacts.com

CoinFacts.com

An enormous database and online reference encyclopedia dedicated to U.S. coins. You'll be sure to find high res ima… [read review or visit site]

Society of U.S. Pattern Collectors

Society of U.S. Pattern Collectors

Home to the Society of U.S. Pattern collectors, this well-organized site provides in-depth information on pattern c… [read review or visit site]


Got a site to suggest? Let us know.




Clubs & Associations: US Coins


Other Great Reference Sites: US Coins

Are we missing one? Tell us.

Top eBay Auctions  Help | Get weekly Buffalo Nickels email

Sorted by        
1937-d 3 Leg Buffalo Nickel Error Bu+ Pq Mint State!$1,540 Ends Monday 11 bids 12 watchers
1937 Buffalo Nickel Pcgs Proof 66$1,500 Ends in 11 hours 13 bids 37 watchers
1937 D 3 Leg Buffalo Nickel Bu Estate Collection Rare$1,484 Ends in 12 hours 15 bids 42 watchers
1925 D Buffalo Nickel Superb Gem Bu ** Magnificent Coin$685.00 Ends in 14 hours 29 bids 56 watchers
1937-d * 3 Legs * Pcgs Vf25 Cac $1,200+ Buffalo Nickels$608.88 Ends Tuesday 5 bids 19 watchers
1913 Buffalo Five Cents Type 1 Pcgs Ms67$577.77 Ends Sunday 5 bids 11 watchers
Rare 1937d 3 Legged Buffalo Nickel$502.00 Ends in 10 hours 27 bids 21 watchers
1913 S Buffalo Nickel Ms Estate Collection Broken Set$480.75 Ends in 12 hours 14 bids 41 watchers
Buffalo Indian Head Nickels Complete Set Date-mint Mark$456.99 Ends Tuesday 17 bids 39 watchers
1921 S Buffalo Nickel Au Estate Collection Broken Set$455.00 Ends in 12 hours 9 bids 33 watchers
1914 D Buffalo Nickel Bu Estate Collection Broken Set$328.60 Ends in 12 hours 9 bids 25 watchers
1920 S Buffalo Nickel Bu Estate Collection Broken Set$314.09 Ends in 11 hours 8 bids 30 watchers
Choie Au 1913-s T 2 Full Horn Buffalo Nickel Free S/h!!$306.02 Ends in 11 hours 9 bids 15 watchers
1917 S Buffalo Nickel Ms Estate Collection Broken Set$297.97 Ends in 12 hours 11 bids 30 watchers
1921 P Buffalo Nickel Ms Estate Collection Broken Set$263.00 Ends in 12 hours 16 bids 21 watchers
1937d 3 Legged Buffalo Nickel Vf 0242/193$255.01 Ends Friday 13 bids 4 watchers
1928 S Buffalo Nickel Bu Estate Collection Broken Set$255.00 Ends in 12 hours 5 bids 19 watchers
1923 S Buffalo Nickel Bu Estate Collection Broken Set$252.48 Ends in 12 hours 7 bids 29 watchers
1920 D Buffalo Nickel Ms Estate Collection Broken Set$247.59 Ends in 12 hours 7 bids 27 watchers
1917 D Buffalo Nickel Bu Estate Collection Broken Set$243.50 Ends in 12 hours 17 bids 30 watchers
1919 Buffalo Five Cents Pcgs Ms65$242.50 Ends Sunday 6 bids 9 watchers
1937 D 3 Legged Buffalo Pcgs Vf35 Key Variety Error Us$235.83 Ends Saturday 6 bids 15 watchers
1924 D Buffalo Nickel Bu Estate Collection Broken Set$229.15 Ends in 12 hours 7 bids 19 watchers
1915 S Buffalo Nickel Choice Xf++ ** Better Date Coin!!$207.50 Ends in 13 hours 6 bids 29 watchers
1925 D Buffalo Nickel Bu Estate Collection Broken Set$177.53 Ends in 12 hours 5 bids 22 watchers
1913 D Buffalo Nickel Ms Estate Collection Broken Set$177.50 Ends in 12 hours 11 bids 32 watchers
1934-d Buffalo Nickel Ngc Ms 64$167.00 Ends Wednesday 1 bid 3 watchers
1937- D Pcgs Vg10 3 Legs Buffalo Nickel **error Coin** $153.58 Ends Saturday 4 bids 15 watchers
1937-d 3 Legged Buffalo Nickel (vf 30) Rare!!!!$152.50 Ends Wednesday 4 bids 14 watchers
1915 D Buffalo Nickel Bu Estate Collection Broken Set$152.42 Ends in 11 hours 11 bids 29 watchers
1925 S Buffalo Nickel Ms Estate Collection Broken Set$145.50 Ends in 12 hours 9 bids 24 watchers
1936 D Buffalo Nickel Ngc Ms 66$145.10 Ends Thursday 2 bids
1917-s Buffalo Nickel In Ef-45 By Pcgs - Nice$143.00 Ends Wednesday 5 bids 22 watchers
1919 D Buffalo Nickel Bu Estate Collection Broken Set$141.50 Ends in 11 hours 3 bids 18 watchers
1927 S Buffalo Nickel Ms Estate Collection Broken Set$136.50 Ends in 12 hours 8 bids 23 watchers
1924 S Buffalo Nickel Ef Estate Collection Broken Set$135.09 Ends in 12 hours 13 bids 11 watchers
1913 Ty 1 Buffalo Nickel Pcgs Ms 65 Coin Coins$135.00 Ends in 11 hours 1 bid 2 watchers
1927 D Buffalo Nickel Bu Estate Collection Broken Set$132.50 Ends in 12 hours 6 bids 20 watchers
1918 S Buffalo Nickel Bu Estate Collection Broken Set$129.50 Ends in 12 hours 15 bids 29 watchers
1937-d Buffalo Nickel (3 Leg )$121.00 Ends Saturday 7 bids 9 watchers
1938-d Buffalo Nickel Ngc Ms 67$118.00 Ends Wednesday 1 bid 5 watchers
1918--s Pcgs Xf40 Buffalo$115.50 Ends Thursday 6 bids 7 watchers
1936 S Buffalo Nickel Ms 66 Graded By Ngc Awesome Coin$114.50 Ends in 10 hours 7 bids 14 watchers
1915-d Pcgs Au58 Buffalo$109.50 Ends Thursday 6 bids 8 watchers
1931-s Buffalo Nickel Ngc Ms 64$103.50 Ends Wednesday 2 bids 7 watchers
1938-d Three Legged Nickle Extremely Rare$102.50 Ends in 7 hours 2 bids 7 watchers
1927-p 5c Icg Ms 66 United States Buffalo Nickel$102.50 Ends Friday 3 bids 2 watchers
1928 Buffalo Nickel Gem Brilliant Uncirculated$101.58 Ends in 11 hours 12 bids 7 watchers
1914 S Buffalo Nickel Ms Estate Collection Broken Set$93.88 Ends in 12 hours 9 bids 31 watchers
1913 S Buffalo Nickel Bu Estate Collection Broken Set$92.98 Ends in 11 hours 9 bids 31 watchers
Unpicked Lot 260 1913-1938 Full Date Buffalo Nickels!!$91.88 Ends Tuesday 7 bids 7 watchers
1924 P Buffalo Nickel Bu Estate Collection Broken Set$91.09 Ends in 12 hours 9 bids 20 watchers
1916 D Buffalo Nickel Bu Estate Collection Broken Set$91.00 Ends in 12 hours 7 bids 13 watchers
1938 D Ngc Buffalo Nickel Ngc Ms-66$82.01 Ends Tuesday 11 bids 6 watchers
1918 D Buffalo Nickel Vf Estate Collection Broken Set$82.00 Ends in 11 hours 10 bids 33 watchers
1926 D Buffalo Nickel Bu Estate Collection Broken Set$80.01 Ends in 11 hours 6 bids 20 watchers
1916-d Buffalo Nickel ~ Anacs Au 58 ~ Great Color$80.00 Ends in 10 hours 7 bids 13 watchers
1929 P Buffalo Nickel Bu Estate Collection Broken Set$79.00 Ends in 11 hours 7 bids 10 watchers
1926 S Buffalo Nickel Vf ** Rare Key Date!!!$78.88 Ends Saturday 6 bids 15 watchers

»» Get our weekly Buffalo Nickels email
Right now on eBay