1913 Liberty Nickel vs Buffalo Nickels- The Key Differences

The 1913 Liberty Head nickel is a five-coin legend worth millions, while Buffalo nickels (minted 1913–1938) are beloved circulation coins with famous key dates and varieties.

Knowing the differences helps you separate a museum-level rarity from collectible coins you can actually hunt for, grade, and sell.

Origin And Mintage

• 1913 Liberty Nickel: Only five pieces exist, struck under unusual, likely unauthorized circumstances at the Philadelphia Mint after the Liberty design officially ended. Their named pedigrees (Eliasberg, Walton, “Hawaii Five-O,” Norweb/Brand, Olson) drive intense demand.
• Buffalo Nickel (Indian Head): Designed by James Earle Fraser, struck 1913–1938, standard composition 75% copper / 25% nickel, weight 5.00 g, diameter ≈21.2 mm. In 1913 the series launched with Type 1 (bison on a raised mound) and quickly shifted to Type 2 (recessed FIVE CENTS) to reduce wear.

Market Reality And Records

• 1913 Liberty Nickel: Multiple public results confirm multi-million-dollar values (notably over $4 million for top specimens). Only three are in private hands; the other two are institutionally held or exhibited.
• Buffalo Nickels: A broad, affordable series overall, but with elite keys such as 1918/7-D overdate, 1916 doubled-die obverse, 1937-D Three-Legged, and 1913-S Type 2 (low mintage). Choice uncirculated examples of these keys can reach five- and even six-figure prices, while common dates remain accessible.

Design Differences You Can See

• Liberty Nickel (Barber): Classical Liberty head obverse; reverse with a large “V” (Roman numeral for five) inside a wreath. The 1913 pieces are typically prooflike and superbly preserved.
• Buffalo Nickel (Fraser): A composite Native American portrait on the obverse; an American bison on the reverse. Type 1 shows the bison on a mound; Type 2 places the bison on a flat base with recessed lettering to protect FIVE CENTS from friction.

Quick Comparison

Attribute	1913 Liberty Nickel	Buffalo Nickels (1913–1938)
Designer	Charles E. Barber	James Earle Fraser
Known Population	5 coins total	Billions struck across dates/mints
Year Introduced	(Unofficial) 1913	1913
Types/Varieties	Single prooflike issue	Type 1 (mound), Type 2 (recessed), major varieties incl. 1918/7-D, 1916 DDO, 1937-D 3-Legged
Composition	75% Cu / 25% Ni	75% Cu / 25% Ni
Weight / Diameter	5.00 g / ≈21.2 mm	5.00 g / ≈21.2 mm
Value Range	$4M+ per coin	Common dates: modest; key dates in high grade: $10,000–$100,000+
Collectability	Trophy-grade, museum level	Broadly collectible; deep set-building potential

Collecting Outlook In 2025

• Chasing A Legend (1913 Liberty): Realistically limited to museums and ultra-high-net-worth collectors. Authentic examples are pedigreed and carefully documented; any “new discovery” claim warrants expert authentication.
• Smart Targets (Buffalo Series):
  • Hunt the 1918/7-D overdate and 1916 doubled-die—two of the hobby’s most dramatic varieties.
  • Prioritize semi-keys like 1913-S Type 2 and low-mintage 1920s–1930s issues.
  • Eye appeal matters: full horn detail on the bison and strong legends command premiums.
  • Certified grading (e.g., MS65 and above) multiplies value on better dates.

How To Tell Type 1 From Type 2 Quickly

Flip to the reverse under the bison:

• Type 1: Raised mound with FIVE CENTS on the mound—prone to wear.
• Type 2: Flat base; FIVE CENTS is recessed to last longer in circulation.

The 1913 Liberty nickel is the mythic pinnacle of American numismatics—five coins, multi-million-dollar prices, and storied pedigrees.

By contrast, Buffalo nickels offer everyday collectors a rich world of history, design, and discovery, from the Type 1 vs. Type 2 change to famous varieties that can rival blue-chip coins in top grade.

If you want the best mix of heritage, hunt, and upside, build a focused Buffalo set and learn the diagnostics that separate common dates from true keys—while appreciating the 1913 Liberty as the once-in-a-generation trophy it is.

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