1913 Buffalo, Type 1, 3 1/2 Legs Nickel MS FS-901 Values

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1913 Buffalo, Type 1, 3 1/2 Legs Nickel MS FS-901 Values

Details

With a mintage of 30,992,000 pieces, the 1913 Type 1 Buffalo nickel from the Philadelphia Mint is the most common of the Type 1 Buffalo nickels. The Type 1 design features the bison standing on a mound and was struck only during 1913. This Philadelphia issue is popular both as a first-year type coin and is also sought by collectors assembling the entire date-and-mintmark run of Buffalo nickels. There are many specimens available even in the higher Mint State grades. Specimens are plentiful through MS65 and MS66, with both PCGS and NGC have certified several hundred examples grading MS67 or higher.

Obverse: James Earle Fraser's famous and simple design depicts a Native American chief with the word LIBERTY from 1-2 o'clock. The date is placed on the lower left of the chieftain's bust.

Reverse: A full portrait of the bison, Black Diamond, with the words UNITED STATES oF AMERICA at the top periphery with the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM just underneath. The denomination FIVE CENTS is spelled out at the bottom. For the Type 1, the denomination is embossed on raised ground.

Basic Information

GSID:

322089

Coin Date:

1913

Denomination:

5c / 5 Cents

Designation:

MS

Mint & Coinage Details

Mint Location:

Philadelphia

Mintage:

30,992,000

Coinage Type:

Buffalo nickel

Coinage Years:

1913

Composition:

75% copper; 25% nickel

Varieties and Classification

Variety:

Buffalo, Type 1, 3 1/2 Legs

Variety 2:

FS-901

Physical Characteristics

Weight:

5 gr

Weight:

0.1608 oz

Strike Type:

Business

Diameter:

21.2 mm

Coin Shape:

Round

Design Details

Designer:

James Earle Fraser

Obverse Lettering:

LIBERTY, 1913

Obverse Designer:

James Earle Fraser

Reverse Lettering:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, FIVE CENTS

Reverse Designer:

James Earle Fraser

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