Description

The Buffalo Nickel or Indian Head nickel was a copper-nickel five-cent piece struck by the United States Mint from 1913 to 1938. In 1913 the Liberty Head nickel, which had remained in service since 1883 was replaced by a new design, the so-called Buffalo (more properly, the Indian) nickel by James Earle Fraser, a well-known sculptor.

It was found that the relief of the mound caused the inscription in that area to wear quickly, so the bottom part of the reverse for 1913 coins was subsequently redesigned, changes enlarged the legend "FIVE CENTS" and changed the ground on which the bison stands from a hill or raised ground (Type I, KM# 133) to the flat ground (Type II, KM# 134). The Type I is distinguished by the presence of a mound with FIVE CENTS inscribed on it.