Bill's Nickels
5C INDIAN HEAD/BUFFALO, TYPE 2 (1913-1938)

Owner Comments:

Midway through 1913 the reverse of the Buffalo Nickel was modified from a mound below the animal’s hooves to a straight line. The thinking was that the mound design would wear poorly in circulation, which would result in the disappearance of the denomination “FIVE CENTS” on the coins. Ironically this area proved not to be a problem, but the date on the obverse would become a major point of wear. Today there are many dateless Buffalo Nickels which have only a nominal collector value.

The Type II Buffalo Nickel would be issued as a Matte Proof from mid 1913 until 1916. The mint suspended most Proof coin production at that time and did not resume it on a regular basis until 1936.

Oddly enough the first Proof nickels that was issued in 1936 had a satin finish that was similar to the Matte surfaces. An example of a satin finish 1936 Proof nickel is shown above on the right. A brilliant finish Proof Buffalo Nickel is shown on the left. This 1937 dated piece is a nearly flawless example.