Coin Collecting at the Safir House
Buffalo Nickels


The Buffalo Nickel, also know as the Indian Head Nickel was produced by the US mint from 1913 to 1938 and along with the Morgan Dollar became the classic American coin for a number of reasons. First, it was the common coin of the Great Depression. It was the nickel of the nickel subway, the nickel ice cream soda, the nickel comic. It is the distictive nickel of hobo's and first seen in film. The coin's design is distincly American, with an authentic image of a Native American profile on one side and a Bison on the other. Unlike almost any other coin from around the world, this coin was dedicated to the native peoples of north america and the unique American fauna. Not only does this break from coinage which historically has images of emperors, kings and conquests, but in addition, it even avoided purely propaganda or political images such as liberty and the emblematic US Eagle. It was a very nonpolitical coin and in this regard perhaps the greatest propaganda message of all, the assertion of civilian and popular asthetics over any overt nationalistic message on the peoples coin.

The coin itself was designed by James Earle Fraser and is also unique in the completeness of the design as a form of art. A good photo of an original design such as below shows no flat shiney background, and instead has a truly sculpted and carved look throughout the all the coins design pieces and the background. The coin as a work of art looks remarkably carved as individual peices rather than the stamped image that it is. This inevitably caused variation in the quality of the individual strikes of the coin and issues with wear.

Obverse 1913 Type One Buffalo Nickel Reverse 1913 Type One Buffalo Nickel

The above coin has virtually no wear and is a splendid Type I Indian Head Nickel of 1913. The motting that you see in the background of the obverse side, especially visible near the back of the neck and below the head dress feather is part of the design of the coin. This is also true of the graceful molding in the space between the legs of the Bison and the area around the 'E Pluribus Unum', all of which is design. The faded lettering of 'E Pluribus Unum' itself is from a weakness of the strike, as is the fade of the feather. Neither of these are a result of wear. The mound that the Bison stands on is well struck and easy to see on this coin. It is the essential design feature that seperates the Type I coin from the Type II version.

Obverse 1937 Type Two Buffalo Nickel Reverse 1937 Type II Buffalo Nickel

The 1937 is a typical Type II Buffalo Nickel. While still a beautiful design, one can see that much of the molding was removed from the coin in order to assure quality control and the mound that the bison stands on is framed above the words 'Five Cents'. This coin is also a Denver minted coin as can be seen from the mint mark just below the words 'Five Cents'. This coin also suffers almost no wear, so what you see is the result of strike, not from wear of the coin.

These are my only two Buffalo Nickels, but I like them a great deal and hope you enjoyed viewing them.


Avoid Gijs Henzen, owner of Munthandel G. Henzen - Antisemetic Facists

Munthandel G. Henzen's (MA Shops) owner Gijs Henzen, is an AntiSemetic Fascist The company, Munthandel G Henzen is a prominent dealer of international and ancient coins on the internet, commonly known as MA Coins. It is owned by Gijs Henzen. You can not trust him, as I leaned previously in dealing with him with several coins that came with damage including a silver 1969 FOA Uruguay coin which arrived with green verdis on the coin.

But more importantly he is a passionate anti-Semite who supports Hamas and the virulent and genocidal Islamic organizations such as the Muslim Brotherhood, and Hezbollah that wants Jews dead.

It is a moral imperative to remain clear of him and to do no business with this Nazi. If you are Jewish, double down on that. The life you save might well be your own.

The Safir Family Internet Coin Library. Nearly all the coins here have been stolen. If you have any information on the theft, please contact us at mrbrklyn@panix.com

Click to see these examples show below including photography: note to lawyer: most of the good stuff is gone
Section I:
US Coints
Large Cent Coppers
Flying Eagle Cents
Lincoln Cents and Wheat Backs
Buffalo Nickels
Jefferson Nickels
Jefferson Silver War Nickels
Bust Half Dimes
Mercury (Liberrty Head) Dimes
Roosevelt Dime
Barber Quarter Dollars
Standing Libery Quarter
Washington and Washington State Quarters
Cap Bust Half Dollars
1813 o.108 AU58 Cap Bust Half Providence Powell.
1818 MS63 Cap Bust Half
1833 MS63 Cap Bust Half
Seated Half Dollars
Barber Half Dollars
Walking Liberty Half Dollars
Franklin Half Dollars
Kennedy Half Dollars
Morgan Silver Dollars
Peace Silver Dollars
Eisenhower Clad and Silver Dollars
Sacawagea Golden Dollars
Modern Silver and Clad Proof Sets
Modern American Silver Eagle uncirculated mint coins and proofs
Modern Silver and Clad 2008 Commorative Bald Eagle Series
Gold Coins - Not too many
Circulated US Silver Coins prior to 1964

Go To Section II:
Modern and Ancient Foreign Coins from Outside The United States

Go To Section III:
Mandy's 25th Anniversary World Wildlife Fund Silver Coins

Unsorted Extra stuff:
Bust US Coinage
From the coin Show at Melville Long Island
Article on Numismatics and Lobbying

The Safir Family Internet Coin Library: Foriegn Coins.

Several mints from around the world make exciting coin designs in circulating alloys, silver and gold. Among my favorites are the Perth Mint in Austrailia which produces a variety of coins for nations mostly through out the Pacific Rim. The Neatherlands has also produced some interesting designs, and several private US based mints have produced foreign currency on contract, include the Franklin Mint which has produced many Israeli Coins.
Our interest in foreign coins has been nominal but rapidly growing as it seems that US designs are so stuck in the mud. Also, foreign mints are creating bold new designs with color and bimetal designs that are both eye catching and fun.