Buffalo Nickels
One coin that truly represents early America is the Buffalo Nickel. The buffalo is one of the best known animals indigenous to America, and the Indian on the obverse represents the first inhabitants of America.
The nickel benefits from one of the most attractive designs used in United States coinage. And, it is one of the most affordable coins of the closed sets.
The nickel benefits from one of the most attractive designs used in United States coinage. And, it is one of the most affordable coins of the closed sets.
The Buffalo Nickel is a closed set, meaning the last coin of the series have been minted. There will be no additional releases. In fact, the set was finished in 1938.
Since the set started in 1913, it has a very small number of issues needed to get the entire set. True, some are rare, but the Buffalo Nickel is a good starting point for many new collectors. This is especially true with silver prices soaring, making some other older coin types difficult to collect by new numismatists with limited funds.
Since the set started in 1913, it has a very small number of issues needed to get the entire set. True, some are rare, but the Buffalo Nickel is a good starting point for many new collectors. This is especially true with silver prices soaring, making some other older coin types difficult to collect by new numismatists with limited funds.
Buffalo Nickels suffer from having the date and the mint mark too raised for their positions near the rim. Many of these beautiful coins simply have worn out, and with no date or mint mark have become AG grade, or type coins. Finding a Buffalo Nickel with the date and mint mark well pronounced is one of the difficulties.
Another problem is there is an unknown factor of not knowing how many coins were lost to become Hobo Coins.
Another problem is there is an unknown factor of not knowing how many coins were lost to become Hobo Coins.
During the depression hobos who rode freight cars from city to city often amused themselves by carving. One affordable item upon which they could carve was the nickel. The Indian's face gave a start to any face they intended. Pennies were too small, and quarters too much money to use for such purposes, so the nickel was the coin of choice.
Hobo Nickels are now quite collectible. They benefit from no two being exactly alike. It is impossible to collect all of the different Hobo Nickels, so collectors continue to add to their collections.
Hobo Nickels are now quite collectible. They benefit from no two being exactly alike. It is impossible to collect all of the different Hobo Nickels, so collectors continue to add to their collections.
Vending machines were not in as general use as they are today when Buffalo Nickels were being released, but those that were often sold things that cost much less than similar items cost today, requiring nickels. The Buffalo Nickel was issued before vending machines were popular, so they were not designed for such usage. Many wore out once vending machines became more popular. Unfortunately, coin collecting was not so popular at the time, so few Buffalo Nickels were removed from circulation and preserved even a decade or so after they were no longer being minted.
After one hundred years, this beautiful coin was fantastic celebration. Yes, it is now over one hundred years old, and few have survived.
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