1912 DT5c Uniface Reverse, Fraser Electrotrial, JC1912-2 MS

These items may appear unusual at first glance, but they are important part of the design process that led to the popular Buffalo nickel that made its debut as a regular U.S. Mint issue in 1913. These electrotrials were made by Medallic Art Company at the request of Buffalo nickel designer James Earle Fraser to illustrate what some of his early sketch models would look like in coin form. As explained by Roger W. Burdette in his 2007 reference Renaissance of American Coinage: 1909-1915:

Obverse Description

Plain (unstruck) obverse

Reverse Description

Uniface Reverse, Judd-1912-2, 4.096 grams, 63.21 grains, similar to the Type I design adopted for regular issue coinage in 1913, but with smaller letters in the denomination FIVE CENTS, hyphens instead of periods between the words in the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, tiny letters in the Latin motto E PLURIBUS UNUM, and minor differences in the design of the bison.

Source: Stacks Bowers