1913 Buffalo Head Nickel, The First Year

In 1913-1919, Buffalo Head Nickel, Key Date |

1913 was the first year the Buffalo Head Nickel (also known as the Indian Head Nickel) was minted. Each of the 3 Mints, Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco took part in producing the coins.

In 1913 Buffalo Head Nickel was made in two types. Type I was the inital release. On the reverse the buffalo and the word Five Cent is on a raised mound. In Type II the buffalo is on a flat plain and the word Five Cents is recessed. The mint realized that the type 1 raised areas would wear more quickly and made the changes. Only the first coins made from 1913 were Type 1. Type 2 coins were made from 1913-1938.

The Philadelphia mint minted 30,992,000 Type 1 coins and 29,856,186 Type 2 coins.

The Denver mint made 5,337,000 Type I coins and 4,156,000 Type II coins.

The San Francisco mint struck 2,105,000 Type I coins and 1,209,000 Type II coins. The San Francisco Type II is considered to be one of the key date coins of the Buffalo Head Nickel coins.

The Philadelphia Mint minted 1,520 Type I proofs along with 1,514 Type II Matte Proof coins.