What is a buffalo nickel?

The Buffalo nickel (sometimes called the Indian Head nickel) was produced from 1913 to 1921 and 1923 to 1938. A five-cent coin made of copper-nickel, it depicts the bust of a Native American profile on the front and an American bison (often called a buffalo) on the reverse. The intricate design of this coin was its downfall.

When did Buffalo nickels come out?

Buffalo nickels were struck from 1913 through 1938. They are among the most popular 20th-century United States coins around. The coin depicts a Native American chief on the obverse and an American bison (or "buffalo") on the reverse. This five-cent coin is beloved for its classic Old West imagery. 1913 Type I (Mound) Buffalo nickel.

Why are Buffalo nickels called Indian Head nickels?

Buffalo nickels are sometimes known as Indian Head nickels due to the composite portrait of an American Indian chief found on the coin's obverse. This iconic design also appears on modern gold bullion coins called American Gold Buffalos. The Gold Buffalo has been issued by the U.S. Mint each year since 2006.