The Buffalo Nickel (also known as the Indian Head or Bison Nickel) was minted from 1913 to 1938 in large quantities in Philadelphia, and in lesser quantities in Denver and San Francisco, with a total of 1,212,520,229 coins struck by all three mints over the 25 years it was produced. Each coin contains 75% copper, 25% nickel, weighs 5 grams and has a diameter of 13/16".

James E. Fraser designed this nickel and created the American Indian Portrait on it's obverse from a composite of three different Native American Chiefs: Chief John Big Tree, a Seneca; Chief Two Moons, a Cheyenne; and Chief Iron Tail, a Sioux. The portrait of the Buffalo was made using a Bison named "Black Diamond" of the New York Central Park Zoo for the model of the reverse.Fraser's initial "F" is found below the date.

In 1913, two different types of Buffalo Nickel were produced. The first (Type 1) incorporated Fraser's original design with the mound of earth which the Buffalo stands on extending all the way to the rim. The mound was made too high however, and caused the denomination to wear quickly and made the coins stack unevenly. About halfway through the year, the design was changed with the mound of earth stopping at a line above the denomination, and placing the denomination and the mint mark placed in the recess created.

Mintage - 1937:

Philadelphia	Denver	San Francisco
79,485,769	17,826,000	5,635,000