Who is the Indian on the nickel?
James Craig
Updated on March 06, 2026
The Indian on the Indian Head or Buffalo Nickel (1913-1936) is a composite portrait of Three Indian Chiefs – Iron Tail, the Chief that faced General Custer at the battle of Little Big Horn, Two Moons and John Big Tree.
Subsequently, one may also ask, who is the Native American on the nickel?
USA Coin Books writes that according to Fraser, the portrait on the Buffalo Nickel, and thereby the Gold Buffalo, is a composite of three different Native Americans: Chief Iron Tail of the Oglala Lakota, Chief Two Moons of the Cheyenne, and Chief John Big Tree of the Kiowa.
Similarly, who was the model for the buffalo nickel? James Earle Fraser
Beside above, is an Indian head nickel worth anything?
Undated Buffalo nickels are worth about ten cents each, but only because people use them for jewelry, shirt buttons, and a variety of other uses. All other types of nickels without dates are only worth face value.
Where is the mint mark on an Indian head nickel?
The mint mark on the nickel is located on the reverse of the coin, just below the denomination of "FIVE CENTS."
Related Question Answers
What are buffalo nickels worth?
Buffalo Nickel Value. Your buffalo nickel value begins at 10 cents each for a heavily circulated, dateless coin. Common dates in full good or better condition are worth 60 to 70 cents each.Where is the date on an Indian head nickel?
The date is located just on the bottom left on the Buffalo nickel — on the shoulder of the Indian. This means that the date sits high off the surface of the coin and is one of the first places that wear will take place on the Buffalo nickel.What year is my buffalo nickel?
The Buffalo nickel or Indian Head nickel is a copper-nickel five-cent piece that was struck by the United States Mint from 1913 to 1938. It was designed by sculptor James Earle Fraser. As part of a drive to beautify the coinage, five denominations of US coins had received new designs between 1907 and 1909.Are Buffalo nickels silver?
American bison, or buffalo. Please note, Buffalo nickels do not contain any silver. Please see below to view composition and today's metal value.When did they stop making buffalo nickels?
Buffalo nickels were made from 1913 to 1938.What is a 1923 buffalo nickel worth?
USA Coin Book Estimated Value of 1923 Buffalo Nickel is Worth $3.14 in Average Condition and can be Worth $70 to $168 or more in Uncirculated (MS+) Mint Condition.What is a hobo buffalo nickel?
Hobo nickels are actual U.S. coins (usually Buffalo nickels but sometimes Jefferson) whose original image has been carved away and replaced with something more whimsical. These folk-art pieces are known as hobo nickels because hobos supposedly started carving them on long train rides during the Depression.How much is a 1926 buffalo nickel worth?
1926 S Buffalo Nickel. CoinTrackers.com has estimated the 1926 S Buffalo Nickel value at an average of $17, one in certified mint state (MS+) could be worth $7,600.What year nickels are worth keeping?
According to the U.S. Coin Guide, 1916 Buffalo nickels could be worth up to $3,950, while 1877 Shield nickels could be worth up to $2,100, and 1878 Shield nickels could be worth up to $1,100.How do I know if my Buffalo Nickel is valuable?
All Buffalo nickels have the designer's initials on it regardless of the mint facility where it was manufactured. If your coin has a mint mark, it will be under the buffalo on the reverse ("tails") side of the coin, below the words FIVE CENTS. If the Philadelphia mint produced the coin, there is no mint mark.What is the most valuable Indian head nickel?
Most Valuable US Nickels - Highest Value Nickel Coins| Coin | Value |
|---|---|
| Coin | Value |
| 1921 Buffalo Nickel | $339 |
| 1927-D Buffalo Nickel | $335 |
| 1870 Shield Nickel | $326 |
What year buffalo nickel is worth the most?
1916/16Are nickels worth saving?
These are the 3 types of nickels you should be saving: Liberty Head nickels – they're worth $2 and up. Buffalo nickels – prices for these vary; dateless Buffalo nickels are worth 20 cents or more each, and those with dates are worth $1 and up.What Jefferson nickels are worth keeping?
Most premium Jefferson nickel values are found in the early years, 1938 and 1939. They are worth 25 cents to $2 to $25 depending on date, mintmark and condition. Additionally, wartime silver nickels from 1942-1945 because of their silver content, have a minimum value of $0.58 each in Good condition.Who owns the 1913 Liberty Head nickels?
J.V. McDermottWhat year of pennies are worth money?
Indian Head pennies from 1859 to 1879 are generally worth more than $10, and pennies dated from 1879 to 1909 are worth at least $1. While it is not likely that the pennies in your pocket are worth much more than face value, some have fetched impressive prices at auction.How much is a 1937 Indian head nickel worth?
USA Coin Book Estimated Value of 1937 Buffalo Nickel is Worth $1.63 in Average Condition and can be Worth $23 to $43 or more in Uncirculated (MS+) Mint Condition.What coins are valuable?
The Ultimate List of Valuable Coins- 1913 Liberty Head V Nickel $4,408,650.
- 1870 S Liberty Seated Dollar $1,959,995.
- 1927 D St Gaudens Double Eagle $1,200,000.
- 1794 Flowing Hair Dollar $825,098.
- 1838 O Capped Bust Half Dollar $745,000.
- 1933 Indian Head Gold Eagle $600,000.
- 1817 Capped Bust Half Dollar $500,000.
How do I sell coins?
Coin Expert Advice – Ten Tips For Selling Your Coins- Don't Get Into a Forced Sale Situation.
- Pick the Right Time for Selling Your Coins.
- Send Your Coins to CAC.
- Strike While the Iron is Hot.
- Clean Your Slabs.
- Leave Your Old Holder Coins in Old Holders (sometimes).
- Attribute Your Coin(s).
- Have an Emergency Plan.
What are the most valuable nickels?
Here are the top 10 most valuable nickels:- 1916 Buffalo Nickel - Doubled Die Obverse: $281,750.
- 1913-D Buffalo Nickel - Type 2: $143,750.
- 1917-S Buffalo Nickel: $138,000.
- 1920-D Buffalo Nickel: $138,000.
- 1867 Shield Nickel - Proof with Rays: $132,250.
- 1918-S Buffalo Nickel: $125,350.
- 1927-S Buffalo Nickel: $125,350.
