1913 5c Buffalo, Type 1, 3 1/2 Legs, FS-901 MS

With a mintage of 30,992,000 pieces, the 1913 Type 1 Buffalo nickel from the Philadelphia Mint is the most common of the Type 1 Buffalo nickels. The Type 1 design features the bison standing on a mound and was struck only during 1913. This Philadelphia issue is popular both as a first-year type coin and is also sought by collectors assembling the entire date-and-mintmark run of Buffalo nickels. There are many specimens available even in the higher Mint State grades. Specimens are plentiful through MS65 and MS66, with both PCGS and NGC have certified several hundred examples grading MS67 or higher.

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 raised ground.