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Discover The Buffalo Nickel: Size, History, And Value

butchkaliva December 30, 2024

What is the size of a buffalo nickel?

The buffalo nickel, officially known as the Indian Head Nickel, was a five-cent piece struck by the United States Mint from 1913 to 1938. It was designed by James Earle Fraser and features a Native American on the obverse and a bison on the reverse. The buffalo nickel is 21.21 millimeters in diameter and 1.95 millimeters thick. It weighs 5 grams.

The buffalo nickel was the first US coin to feature an American Indian, and it is one of the most popular and recognizable coins in US history. It was replaced by the Jefferson nickel in 1938.

Here is a table with more information about the buffalo nickel:

Diameter	21.21 millimeters
Thickness	1.95 millimeters
Weight	5 grams
Composition	75% copper, 25% nickel
Years of production	1913-1938
Designer	James Earle Fraser

The buffalo nickel is a valuable coin, and it is popular with collectors. The value of a buffalo nickel depends on its condition and rarity. Some buffalo nickels are worth hundreds of dollars.

Buffalo Nickel Size

The buffalo nickel, officially known as the Indian Head Nickel, was a five-cent piece struck by the United States Mint from 1913 to 1938. It was designed by James Earle Fraser and features a Native American on the obverse and a bison on the reverse. Here are seven key aspects of the buffalo nickel's size:

Diameter: 21.21 millimeters
Thickness: 1.95 millimeters
Weight: 5 grams
Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel
Shape: Round
Edge: Reeded
Size comparison: Slightly smaller than a dime

The buffalo nickel's size is significant for several reasons. First, it is the smallest US coin that is still in circulation today. Second, its size makes it easy to carry and use. Third, its size is visually appealing and has helped to make the buffalo nickel one of the most popular and recognizable coins in US history.

1. Diameter

The diameter of the buffalo nickel is 21.21 millimeters. This is significant because it makes the buffalo nickel the smallest US coin that is still in circulation today. The size of the buffalo nickel is also important because it makes it easy to carry and use. Additionally, the size of the buffalo nickel is visually appealing and has helped to make the buffalo nickel one of the most popular and recognizable coins in US history.

The diameter of the buffalo nickel is also important because it affects the coin's weight and thickness. The buffalo nickel weighs 5 grams and is 1.95 millimeters thick. These dimensions make the buffalo nickel a durable coin that is resistant to wear and tear.

The diameter of the buffalo nickel is a key factor that contributes to the coin's overall size. The buffalo nickel is a small coin that is easy to carry and use. The coin's size is also visually appealing and has helped to make the buffalo nickel one of the most popular and recognizable coins in US history.

2. Thickness

The thickness of the buffalo nickel is 1.95 millimeters. This is significant because it affects the coin's weight, durability, and overall appearance. The thickness of the buffalo nickel is also important because it helps to prevent the coin from being easily damaged.

The thickness of the buffalo nickel is a key factor that contributes to the coin's overall size. The buffalo nickel is a small coin that is easy to carry and use. The coin's thickness also helps to protect it from wear and tear.

The thickness of the buffalo nickel is an important aspect of the coin's design. The coin's thickness helps to give it a distinctive appearance and makes it easy to identify. The thickness of the buffalo nickel also helps to protect the coin from damage.

3. Weight

The weight of the buffalo nickel is 5 grams. This is significant because it affects the coin's size, durability, and overall appearance. The weight of the buffalo nickel is also important because it helps to prevent the coin from being easily damaged.

Durability
The weight of the buffalo nickel helps to make it a durable coin. The coin's weight helps to protect it from wear and tear, and it also helps to prevent the coin from being easily bent or damaged.
Size
The weight of the buffalo nickel also affects the coin's size. The buffalo nickel is a small coin, and its weight helps to keep it from being too bulky or heavy.
Appearance
The weight of the buffalo nickel also affects the coin's appearance. The coin's weight helps to give it a distinctive appearance, and it also helps to make the coin more visually appealing.

The weight of the buffalo nickel is an important factor that contributes to the coin's overall size. The buffalo nickel is a small, durable, and visually appealing coin. The coin's weight helps to give it these qualities, and it also helps to make the buffalo nickel one of the most popular and recognizable coins in US history.

4. Composition

The composition of the buffalo nickel is 75% copper and 25% nickel. This composition is significant because it affects the coin's size, weight, and durability. Copper is a relatively soft metal, while nickel is a harder metal. The combination of these two metals creates a coin that is durable and resistant to wear and tear. The composition of the buffalo nickel also gives it a distinctive color and appearance.

The size of the buffalo nickel is also affected by its composition. The copper in the coin makes it larger and heavier than a nickel that is made of pure nickel. The nickel in the coin helps to make it more durable and resistant to wear and tear.

The composition of the buffalo nickel is an important factor that contributes to its overall size. The coin's composition gives it a distinctive color and appearance, and it also makes the coin durable and resistant to wear and tear.

5. Shape

The shape of the buffalo nickel is round. This is significant because it affects the coin's size, weight, and durability. Round coins are more durable than coins with other shapes, because they are less likely to be damaged when they are dropped or handled. Round coins are also easier to stack and store than coins with other shapes.

Durability
The round shape of the buffalo nickel makes it more durable than coins with other shapes. Round coins are less likely to be damaged when they are dropped or handled, because the force of the impact is evenly distributed around the coin's surface. This makes the buffalo nickel a good choice for everyday use, as it is less likely to become damaged.
Size
The round shape of the buffalo nickel also affects its size. Round coins are typically smaller than coins with other shapes, because they can be more easily stacked and stored. This makes the buffalo nickel a convenient coin to carry and use, as it takes up less space than coins with other shapes.
Weight
The round shape of the buffalo nickel also affects its weight. Round coins are typically lighter than coins with other shapes, because they use less metal. This makes the buffalo nickel a lightweight coin that is easy to carry and use.

The shape of the buffalo nickel is an important factor that contributes to its overall size. The coin's round shape makes it durable, easy to stack and store, and lightweight. These factors make the buffalo nickel a good choice for everyday use.

6. Edge

The edge of the buffalo nickel is reeded, meaning that it has a series of evenly spaced vertical grooves. This is significant because it affects the coin's size, weight, and durability. Reeded edges are often used on coins to help prevent counterfeiting, as they are difficult to reproduce accurately. Reeded edges also help to make coins more durable, as they provide a better grip when stacking or handling coins.

The reeded edge of the buffalo nickel is an important factor that contributes to its overall size. The reeding makes the coin slightly larger and heavier than a coin with a plain edge. The reeding also helps to protect the coin from damage, as it provides a better grip when stacking or handling coins.

The reeded edge of the buffalo nickel is a key feature of the coin's design. The reeding helps to give the coin a distinctive appearance, and it also makes the coin more durable and resistant to counterfeiting. These factors make the reeded edge an important part of the buffalo nickel's overall size.

7. Size comparison

The buffalo nickel is slightly smaller than a dime. This is a significant comparison because it provides a quick and easy way to visualize the size of a buffalo nickel. It also helps to put the buffalo nickel's size into context, as dimes are one of the most common coins in circulation in the United States.

The buffalo nickel's size is important for several reasons. First, it makes the coin easy to carry and use. Second, its size helps to prevent the coin from being easily lost or misplaced. Third, its size is visually appealing and has helped to make the buffalo nickel one of the most popular and recognizable coins in US history.

The buffalo nickel's size is a key factor that contributes to the coin's overall popularity and usability. The coin's size makes it easy to carry and use, and it also helps to prevent the coin from being easily lost or misplaced. Additionally, the buffalo nickel's size is visually appealing and has helped to make the coin one of the most popular and recognizable coins in US history.

FAQs about Buffalo Nickel Size

This section addresses common questions and misconceptions about the size of the buffalo nickel.

Question 1: What is the diameter of a buffalo nickel?

Answer: The diameter of a buffalo nickel is 21.21 millimeters.

Question 2: What is the thickness of a buffalo nickel?

Answer: The thickness of a buffalo nickel is 1.95 millimeters.

Question 3: What is the weight of a buffalo nickel?

Answer: The weight of a buffalo nickel is 5 grams.

Question 4: What is the composition of a buffalo nickel?

Answer: A buffalo nickel is composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel.

Question 5: What is the shape of a buffalo nickel?

Answer: A buffalo nickel is round.

These are just a few of the most common questions about the size of the buffalo nickel. For more information, please consult a reputable source such as the United States Mint.

Summary of key takeaways:

The buffalo nickel is 21.21 millimeters in diameter.
The buffalo nickel is 1.95 millimeters thick.
The buffalo nickel weighs 5 grams.
The buffalo nickel is composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel.
The buffalo nickel is round.

Transition to the next article section:

Now that we have covered the basics of the buffalo nickel's size, let's move on to discuss its history and design.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored the size of the buffalo nickel, a popular and recognizable coin in US history. We have discussed the buffalo nickel's diameter, thickness, weight, composition, shape, and edge. We have also compared the buffalo nickel's size to other coins, such as the dime.

The buffalo nickel's size is significant for several reasons. First, it makes the coin easy to carry and use. Second, its size helps to prevent the coin from being easily lost or misplaced. Third, its size is visually appealing and has helped to make the buffalo nickel one of the most popular and recognizable coins in US history.

The buffalo nickel is a reminder of the rich history of coinage in the United States. The coin's size is a key factor that contributes to its popularity and usability. As we continue to learn about the buffalo nickel and other coins, we can appreciate the role that they have played in our history and culture.