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The Ultimate Guide To Silver Buffalo Nickels: History, Value, And More

butchkaliva January 01, 2025

What are silver buffalo nickels?

Silver buffalo nickels are five-cent pieces struck by the United States Mint from 1913 to 1938. They are composed of 90% silver and 10% copper and weigh 5 grams. The obverse of the coin features a Native American chief wearing a headdress, while the reverse depicts a buffalo standing on a mound.

Silver buffalo nickels were designed by James Earle Fraser, a prominent sculptor who also designed the dime and the quarter. The coin was intended to replace the Liberty Head nickel, which had been in circulation since 1883. However, the silver buffalo nickel was not as popular as its predecessor, and production was discontinued in 1938.

Today, silver buffalo nickels are popular among collectors. They are also used in jewelry and other decorative items.

Silver Buffalo Nickels

Design: The coin was designed by James Earle Fraser, a prominent sculptor who also designed the dime and the quarter.
Composition: The coin is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper.
Weight: The coin weighs 5 grams.
Dimensions: The coin is 21.2 mm in diameter and 2.5 mm thick.
Production: The coin was produced from 1913 to 1938.
Mintage: A total of 193,151,535 silver buffalo nickels were minted.
Value: Silver buffalo nickels are worth about $1 in circulated condition and up to $10 in uncirculated condition.

Silver buffalo nickels are popular among collectors because of their beautiful design and historical significance. They are also used in jewelry and other decorative items.

1. Design

The design of the silver buffalo nickel is one of the most iconic in American coinage. The obverse features a Native American chief wearing a headdress, while the reverse depicts a buffalo standing on a mound. The coin was designed by James Earle Fraser, a prominent sculptor who also designed the dime and the quarter.

Fraser's design for the silver buffalo nickel was inspired by his travels to the American West. He was particularly impressed by the Native American culture and the beauty of the buffalo. Fraser's design for the coin captures the strength and dignity of the Native American people, as well as the power and majesty of the buffalo.

The silver buffalo nickel was a popular coin during its time, and it remains popular among collectors today. The coin's beautiful design and historical significance make it a valuable addition to any collection.

2. Composition

The composition of the silver buffalo nickel is 90% silver and 10% copper. This composition gives the coin its distinctive color and luster. The silver content also makes the coin more valuable than other nickels, which are typically made of nickel or copper-nickel.

The composition of the silver buffalo nickel was chosen for a number of reasons. First, silver is a durable metal that is resistant to wear and tear. This makes it an ideal choice for a coin that is intended to circulate for many years. Second, silver is a valuable metal, which gives the coin a higher intrinsic value than other nickels. This makes it less likely to be counterfeited.

The composition of the silver buffalo nickel has a number of practical implications. First, the coin's silver content makes it more valuable than other nickels. This means that it is more likely to be collected and saved, rather than being spent. Second, the coin's silver content makes it more resistant to wear and tear. This means that it will last longer in circulation than other nickels.

3. Weight

The weight of the silver buffalo nickel is 5 grams. This is slightly heavier than the Liberty Head nickel, which weighs 4.5 grams. The weight of the silver buffalo nickel is due to its composition. The coin is made of 90% silver and 10% copper. Silver is a dense metal, so the silver buffalo nickel is heavier than other nickels, which are typically made of nickel or copper-nickel.

The weight of the silver buffalo nickel is important for a number of reasons. First, the weight of the coin helps to determine its value. Silver is a valuable metal, so the silver buffalo nickel is worth more than other nickels. Second, the weight of the coin helps to ensure its durability. Silver is a durable metal, so the silver buffalo nickel is less likely to wear down than other nickels.

The weight of the silver buffalo nickel is also a practical consideration. The coin is heavy enough to be easily handled, but it is not so heavy that it is difficult to carry around. The weight of the coin also helps to make it less likely to be lost.

4. Dimensions

The dimensions of the silver buffalo nickel are 21.2 mm in diameter and 2.5 mm thick. These dimensions are slightly larger than the Liberty Head nickel, which is 20.5 mm in diameter and 2.1 mm thick. The larger size of the silver buffalo nickel is due to its composition. The coin is made of 90% silver and 10% copper, which is a harder metal than the nickel-copper alloy used in the Liberty Head nickel.

Durability: The larger size and thicker planchet of the silver buffalo nickel make it more durable than the Liberty Head nickel. This is important because the silver buffalo nickel was intended to circulate for many years.
Value: The larger size of the silver buffalo nickel also makes it more valuable than the Liberty Head nickel. This is because the coin contains more silver.
Collectibility: The larger size and thicker planchet of the silver buffalo nickel make it more popular with collectors. This is because the coin is more visually appealing and easier to handle.

The dimensions of the silver buffalo nickel are an important part of the coin's design. The larger size and thicker planchet make the coin more durable, valuable, and collectible.

5. Production

The production of the silver buffalo nickel spanned 25 years, from 1913 to 1938. This period can be divided into two distinct phases:

Initial production (1913-1916): During this period, the silver buffalo nickel was produced at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints. The coins produced during this period are known for their high quality and craftsmanship.
Later production (1917-1938): During this period, the silver buffalo nickel was produced only at the Philadelphia Mint. The coins produced during this period are often of lower quality than those produced during the initial production period. This is due to the fact that the Mint was producing large quantities of coins to meet the demands of World War I.

The production of the silver buffalo nickel was discontinued in 1938. This was due to a number of factors, including the rising price of silver and the introduction of the Jefferson nickel.

6. Mintage

The mintage of a coin refers to the number of coins that were produced. The mintage of the silver buffalo nickel is significant because it provides insight into the popularity and availability of the coin. The high mintage of the silver buffalo nickel indicates that it was a popular coin during its time. This is likely due to its beautiful design and its high silver content.

The mintage of the silver buffalo nickel also has implications for its value. Coins with a lower mintage are typically more valuable than coins with a higher mintage. This is because coins with a lower mintage are rarer. The silver buffalo nickel has a relatively high mintage, which means that it is not as valuable as some other coins. However, the silver buffalo nickel is still a valuable coin, especially in uncirculated condition.

The mintage of the silver buffalo nickel is an important factor to consider when collecting or investing in coins. The mintage of a coin can provide insight into its popularity, availability, and value.

7. Value

The value of silver buffalo nickels varies depending on their condition. Circulated silver buffalo nickels, which have been in circulation and show signs of wear, are worth about $1. Uncirculated silver buffalo nickels, which have not been in circulation and show no signs of wear, are worth up to $10.

Factors that affect the value of silver buffalo nickels
The value of silver buffalo nickels is affected by a number of factors, including:
- Condition: The condition of a silver buffalo nickel is the most important factor that affects its value. Circulated silver buffalo nickels are worth less than uncirculated silver buffalo nickels.
- Date: The date of a silver buffalo nickel also affects its value. Silver buffalo nickels that were minted in the early years of production are worth more than silver buffalo nickels that were minted in later years.
- Mint mark: The mint mark on a silver buffalo nickel indicates the mint where the coin was produced. Silver buffalo nickels that were minted at the Philadelphia Mint are worth more than silver buffalo nickels that were minted at the Denver Mint or the San Francisco Mint.
Grading silver buffalo nickels
Silver buffalo nickels are graded on a scale of 1 to 70, with 70 being the highest grade. The grade of a silver buffalo nickel is determined by its condition. Circulated silver buffalo nickels are typically graded in the range of 1 to 20, while uncirculated silver buffalo nickels are typically graded in the range of 60 to 70.
Investing in silver buffalo nickels
Silver buffalo nickels can be a good investment. The value of silver buffalo nickels has been increasing steadily in recent years. However, it is important to remember that the value of silver buffalo nickels can fluctuate, so it is important to do your research before investing in these coins.

Silver buffalo nickels are a popular collectible coin. The beautiful design and the high silver content of these coins make them a valuable addition to any collection.

FAQs Regarding Silver Buffalo Nickels

Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers about silver buffalo nickels:

Question 1: What are silver buffalo nickels?

Silver buffalo nickels are five-cent pieces struck by the United States Mint from 1913 to 1938. They are composed of 90% silver and 10% copper and weigh 5 grams.

Question 2: Why were silver buffalo nickels created?

Silver buffalo nickels were created to replace the Liberty Head nickel, which had been in circulation since 1883. The Liberty Head nickel was not as popular as its predecessor, the Indian Head nickel, and the Mint wanted to create a new design that would be more appealing to the public.

Question 3: Who designed the silver buffalo nickel?

The silver buffalo nickel was designed by James Earle Fraser, a prominent sculptor who also designed the dime and the quarter.

Question 4: How much are silver buffalo nickels worth?

The value of silver buffalo nickels varies depending on their condition and date. Circulated silver buffalo nickels are worth about $1, while uncirculated silver buffalo nickels can be worth up to $10.

Question 5: Are silver buffalo nickels a good investment?

Silver buffalo nickels can be a good investment. The value of silver buffalo nickels has been increasing steadily in recent years. However, it is important to remember that the value of silver buffalo nickels can fluctuate, so it is important to do your research before investing in these coins.

These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about silver buffalo nickels. For more information, please consult a reputable coin dealer or visit the website of the United States Mint.

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Conclusion

Silver buffalo nickels are a popular and valuable coin among collectors. They are also a good investment, as the value of silver buffalo nickels has been increasing steadily in recent years.

If you are interested in collecting or investing in silver buffalo nickels, it is important to do your research and consult with a reputable coin dealer. Silver buffalo nickels are a beautiful and valuable coin that can be a great addition to any collection.