1937 United States Buffalo Nickel (Indian Head Nickel)
Coin/Currency · United States Mint; specifically the Philadelphia, Denver, or San Francisco facilities. The design was created by renowned sculptor James Earle Fraser.
Pattern: Buffalo Nickel Series (1913-1938)
Type
Coin/Currency
Maker
United States Mint; specifically the Philadelphia, Denver, or San Francisco facilities. The design was created by renowned sculptor James Earle Fraser.
Material
Cupro-Nickel (75% Copper, 25% Nickel). Note: This item contains 0% silver and is a common misconception in precious metal circles.
Dimensions
Diameter: 21.21 mm; Thickness: 1.95 mm; Weight: 5.0 grams (standard for the series).
Description
A classic piece of American numismatic history, the 1937 Buffalo Nickel represents the penultimate year of this iconic design. While often mistaken by laypeople for silver due to its luster and age, it remains a base-metal coin composed of copper and nickel. It is celebrated for its distinctly American motifs, featuring a composite portrait of three different Native American chiefs.
Key Features
Raised 1937 date on the shoulder (vulnerable to wear); 'F' mark below the date for designer Fraser; characteristic matte grey patina of cupro-nickel.
Material & Composition
Cupro-Nickel (75% Copper, 25% Nickel). Note: This item contains 0% silver and is a common misconception in precious metal circles.
Finish & Decoration
Circulated strike with a matte-like relief. Obverse features a right-facing profile of a Native American with two feathers; Reverse (not pictured) features an American Bison (Black Diamond). Low-relief engraving style typical of Early 20th Century Americana.
Hallmarks & Stamps
'LIBERTY' at the upper right rim; '1937' date on the shoulder. If marked with a 'D' or 'S' below the buffalo on reverse, it indicates Denver or San Francisco mints; absence of a mark indicates Philadelphia.
Construction Details
Industrial die-struck coinage; manufactured using high-pressure coin presses at a US federal facility.
Functional Features
Legal tender currency for the value of five cents ($0.05 USD). Reeded edge is absent (smooth edge).
Handle & Grip Details
N/A (Numismatic item)
Craftsmanship Details
Machine die-struck with a design originally sculpted in clay; shows the transition from artisanal engraving to industrial mass-production while maintaining artistic integrity.
Authentication Indicators
Characteristic profile with high-bridge nose; font style of 'LIBERTY' matches US Mint standards for 1937; wear patterns are consistent with the known metal hardness of cupro-nickel.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States of America; Philadelphia (likely, based on the commonality of 1937 issues).
Era & Period
Interwar Period / Great Depression Era; late Art Deco influence in sculptural realism.
Age Estimate
Produced in the year 1937; currently 87 years old as of 2024.
Cultural Significance
Part of the 'Renaissance of American Coinage' initiated by Theodore Roosevelt, aimed at making currency a form of public art. It remains one of the most recognizable and beloved coin designs in world history.
Condition Notes
Good to Very Good (G-VG). Significant flatness on the hair braids and feathers. The date is legible but the '1937' shows softening. Surface shows circular scratches and typical circulation tarnish. No major corrosion.
Value Estimate
Market value: $0.50 to $2.00 USD for a circulated specimen. If it were the 3-Legged variety in this condition, it could exceed $500.00. Value is primarily historical/numismatic, not melt-value.
Care & Maintenance
Do not clean or polish with silver chemicals as this destroys the numismatic value. Store in a PVC-free plastic flip or archival holder to prevent 'green slime' or environmental oxidation.
Similar Pieces
1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo (rare variant); Jefferson Nickel (replacement design starting in 1938); Silver War Nickels (1942-1945, which actually contain 35% silver).
Interesting Facts
The 1937 issue is famous for the '3-Legged Buffalo' error (found only on Denver mint marks), where a damaged die removed one of the bison's legs, creating a high-value collector's item.