United States 1913 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The Indian Head nickel superseded the Liberty Head nickel in 1913 as part of the general freshening of coinage designs started by Theodore Roosevelt.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 2106 in Stack's Bowers March 2021 auction (Las Vegas, NV), where it sold for $4,560. The catalog description noted, "1913 Buffalo Nickel. Type I. Proof-65 (PCGS). CAC. OGH. Otherwise silver-gray surfaces are enhanced by pale champagne-apricot iridescence that is a bit bolder on the reverse. Both sides are fully struck with a silky smooth, satin texture throughout. Outstanding Gem quality for this challenging first year issue in the Proof Buffalo nickel series."
Recorded mintage: 30,993,520 plus 29,858,700 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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