Whitman Expo
1913-S Buffalo Nickel, Type 2 MS Values
Details
The 1913-S Type 2 Buffalo nickel is a scarce key-date coin with the third-lowest business-strike mintage of the series. Only 1,209,000 examples were made and only 14,000 specimens are estimated to survive, with about 1,800 known in uncirculated grades. In all grades, this piece is highly sought after by collectors. Desirable even in circulated grades, the 1913-S Type 2 Buffalo nickel is a particularly popular with date-and-mintmark set collectors and enjoys steady demand in the marketplace.
Uncirculated examples are plentiful through MS65, though it becomes far more difficult to locate in MS66 or higher. PCGS has graded only about half a dozen examples in MS67, presently representing the highest grade awarded by that TPG to any 1913-S Type 2 Buffalo nickel. For that reason, registry set collectors vie for the several dozen known MS66 pieces, which represent their own challenges but are far more affordable than the elusive, scarcely traded MS67s.
Obverse: 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: 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 a flat surface.
Mint & Coinage Details
Mint Location:
San Francisco
Mintage:
1,209,000
Coinage Type:
Buffalo nickel
Coinage Years:
1913-1938
Composition:
75% copper; 25% nickel
Mint Mark:
S
Varieties and Classification
Variety:
Buffalo, Type 2
Physical Characteristics
Weight:
5 gr
Weight:
0.1608 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
21.2 mm
Coin Shape:
Round
Design Details
Designer:
James Earle Fraser
Obverse Lettering:
LIBERTY, 1913
Obverse Designer:
James Earle Fraser
Reverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, FIVE CENTS
Reverse Designer:
James Earle Fraser
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