The History of the Buffalo Nickel - Part I
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The History of the Buffalo Nickel - Part I
Overview
The Buffalo Nickel, also known as the Indian Head Nickel, was minted from 1913 to 1938. Designed by James Earle Fraser, this coin features a bison on its reverse side, although technically, it's not a buffalo.
Origins
In early 1911, Treasury Secretary Franklin MacVeagh received a letter from his son suggesting a redesign of the five-cent piece. Since a law required a 25-year gap before changing a coin's design, the Liberty Nickel's redesign had been possible since February 1908. MacVeagh, who took office under President Taft in 1909, missed the excitement of President Theodore Roosevelt's earlier coin redesigns.
James Earle Fraser, a respected artist recommended by the legendary Augustus Saint-Gaudens, was chosen to design the new nickel. Even though Taft was the president in 1912, Roosevelt's influence secured Fraser's role.
Design Challenges
The Philadelphia Mint was initially uninformed about the design change, speculated to avoid issues with Charles E. Barber, the chief engraver at the time. Barber, who had designed the current nickel, was not eager to see it replaced.
The Obverse Design
The obverse features a robust portrait of a Native American chief, distinguishing it from the smoother Lady Liberty designs. The portrait is believed to be a composite of three chiefs. Fraser identified two: Chief Iron Tail, a Sioux, and Chief Two Moons, a Cheyenne. The identity of the third model remains uncertain, with several claims but no confirmation.
In 1931, Fraser clarified in a letter that the design wasn't a direct portrait of any individual. He believed it represented a type, drawing from multiple portrait busts.
The Reverse Design
The reverse showcases an American bison, not an actual buffalo. When settlers encountered bison, they called them buffalo because they resembled the Asian Water Buffalo. This misnomer persisted, and "buffalo" became widely accepted. True buffaloes exist mainly in India and Africa, unlike the bison, which is more closely related to the European Wisent and the Canadian Woods Bison.
Although there are two bison types?"the Plains Bison and the Woods Bison?"the term "buffalo" will be used for consistency in discussing the coin's reverse.
Conclusion
The Buffalo Nickel is a remarkable piece of art and history, blending Native American heritage with American wildlife. Despite ongoing debates about the models for the obverse, the coin remains an iconic symbol of Americana.
### To Be Continued!
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