Coin Highlights Issuer: United States of America Date: 1913 Mint: San Francisco (S) Denomination: Five Cents (Nickel) Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel Weight: 5.00 g Diameter: 21.2 mm Grade: PCGS MS65 (Gem Uncirculated) Obverse Design: Native American profile facing right, a composite design by James Earle Fraser. Reverse Design: American bison standing on a raised mound (Type 1 reverse), with FIVE CENTS in relief below. Edge: Plain Orientation: Coin alignment (↑↓) Historical Significance Introduced in 1913, the Buffalo Nickel replaced the Liberty Head (V) Nickel and quickly became a national symbol of American heritage. The Type 1 reverse depicts the bison standing on a raised mound. While visually striking, the design caused premature wear of the denomination, leading to the revised Type 2 flat ground design later that same year. The San Francisco Mint struck only 2,105,000 Type 1 nickels, making it one of the scarcer branch mint issues of the series and a popular early key date. Collectibility In MS65 Gem, this coin boasts strong strikes, attractive surfaces, and full originality, placing it well above the average surviving example. The 1913-S Type 1 is highly desirable to both type collectors, who need a representative of the first design subtype, and series specialists seeking a tough early San Francisco issue. The Trader Bea label enhances presentation and collector appeal, making it especially desirable for those who enjoy specialty PCGS holders.
