United States 1913-S 5 cents KM-133
The Indian Head nickel superseded the Liberty Head nickel in 1913 as part of the general freshening of coinage designs started by Theodore Roosevelt. The first issues had the "FIVE CENTS" on a grassy mound on the reverse; this was revised mid-year to put the denomination under an exergue to prevent it from wearing off. This was never done to the date, however, and dealer junk boxes are filled with "dateless" buffalo nickels (the beast on the reverse is a bison, not a buffalo, but buffalo nickel is what it's called). Many dates, including the 1923-S, come poorly struck and lack detail in the Indian's hair and on the bison's pelt. This specimen was lot 2107 in Stack's Bowers March 2021 auction (Las Vegas, NV), where it sold for $5,040. The catalog description noted, "1913-S Buffalo Nickel. Type I. MS-67 (PCGS). This Superb Gem San Francisco nickel features subtle golden highlights on smooth, satiny surfaces. Razor sharp to full striking detail adds to the appeal. The 1913-S is the scarcest of the three circulation strike Buffalo nickels of the Type I design and at the present grade level it is scarce. Given the popularity of this series with Registry Set and other advanced collectors, attractive high grade examples such as this are rare from a market availability standpoint and represent an important bidding opportunity whenever they appear at auction."
Recorded mintage: 2,105,000 plus 1,209,000 with the recessed ground (KM 134).
Specification: 5 g, copper-nickel, 21.2 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 133.
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- Breen, Walter H., Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U. S. and Colonial Coins, New York: Doubleday, 1987.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Yeoman, R. S., and Kenneth Bressett (ed.), A Guide Book of United States Coins, 65th Ed., Atlanta, GA: Whitman Publishing, 2011.
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