1917 5c Doubled Die Reverse, FS-802 MS

The 1917 Buffalo nickel is a fairly typical Philadelphia issue from its era, and most of these are pretty well struck. A total of 51,424,019 were struck and there are about 10,000 or so known survivors, with plenty available in circulated grades. There is a decent supply in Gem, and a few dozen in the MS67 range, which is where many registry set collectors focus their sights. PCGS and NGC have slabbed a collective handful in MS68, though these scarcely enter the public trading arena.

Obverse Description

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 Description

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 a flat surface.