I posted this a few days ago and just now realized that I left 3 legs out of the title so I’m reposting. I apologize for my memory lapse. The Indian Head or Buffalo Nickel was minted from 1913 to 1938. In its first year of issue, 1913, there are two varieties. In the Type 1 variety the Buffalo is standing on a mound or high ground. Type 2 has the Buffalo on lower ground. Due to minting problems the ground was redesigned and made flat, with a straight line drawn for the ground. James Earle Fraser was the designer and his initial, an F, is below the date. He used 3 different Native Americans as models for the obverse. The reverse is reported to have been modeled after Black Diamond, a bison that was in the New York City Zoo at the time this coin was designed. President Theodore Roosevelt wanted to capture the grandeur and style of Classical Greek and Roman designs on US coins. He felt the current style was uninspiring and he wanted Saint-Gaudens to design the nickel in 1907. Saint-Gaudens died later that year so U.S. Mint designers took on the job. The competition was fierce and the lady 5 coin designs were not by Mint employees. Barber designed a Nickel with the likeness of George Washington on had more been on a US coin but was on the large-size U.S. Silver Certificate currency. The Fine Arts Commission, which selected the winning designs, sought something different. A nearly unanimous choice was an American Indian and a Bison. The coins were minted at the Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco Mints simultaneously. They were very popular among the public and the designs provoked positive comments worldwide. In many foreign countries, the “Old West” was how America was best represented. In 1913 the high ground design had the date and denomination wearing off very rapidly. This led to a redesign that had the date numerals widened. The denomination was minted below a line which became the ground the Bison was standing on. These changes protected them from rapid wear but not as mint officials had hoped. They were successful enough to remain in effect until 1938 when production was halted. In 1937, an error was created that went on to become one of most well-known American coins. It is believed the coin feeder malfunctioned and failed to send blank planchets to the coin press. This resulted in the two 1937-D Buffalo Nickel dies clashing against one another causing the dies to receive impressions of the designs from either side. A mint employee, trying to eliminate these clash marks, began to polish off these marks rather than switching to the unused Buffalo Nickel dies that were being held in reserve. Unbeknownst to the employee, this over-polishing removed details from the Bison’s front right leg. Out of the 17,826,000 minted in Denver it is unknown exactly how many were minted using those damaged dies. The number is fairly small. It is well believed that the majority of these coins have surfaced from known Buffalo Nickel hoards. It is a fact that many of the 1937-D Nickels were shipped to the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis and then to the sub-branch in Helena, Montana. This variety was first reported in 1937. The efforts of many coin dealers help the public in noting this error. From there its popularity began to soar. And today, it’s popularity has only grown. This is one of two examples that are in my personal collection.
One for each hand. Lol I bought one because I couldn’t find this one. It was in one of those sealed boxes of mine and I found it recently.
Before I look at this... I look at this and this... Because if it ain't peeing or its right rear leg not moth eaten... it aint a 3 legger! Its a fake! So remember before you look at the front leg...look at the rear right leg ....and that its going potty...if in doupt walk away....these are faked so many times. And yeah I can see having more than 1... i could use another myself.
For sure and another diagnosis is the back of the Indian’s neck. It should also appear moth eaten. Wear on these can be a problem as the Buffalo peeing can wear off quickly.
I bought this coin from a very reliable and a great dealer when I lived in Washington State. I’ve had it over 30 years, maybe longer. It’s still in the flip that I bought it in.
One needs to realize that this particular variety the 37 D 3 legger was hot in that time peroid. It was the premise on many TV shows...one that comes to mind is "Dennis the Menace" This is where Dennis lost Mr. Wilsons 3 legger.... If memory serves me Leave it to Beaver also ...when Beavers friend Larry takes coins then drops them on the ground....to cover him taking them ...he tells Beaver that most probably a bi plane pilot probably dropped them from his pockets doing loops in the plane. I still believe that the 3 legged buffalo is a well sought after coin.. it holds its value pretty much...however based on a inflation calculator its value in the 1950's and 60's exceeds todays current values. Again the iconic buffalo nickel to my knowledge living in this time peroid is the #1 a non coin collector has some sort of knowledge. I personally feel that Teddy Roosevelt was one of the best Presidents of the United States. No political reasons...but he actually cared about the country, its people, and the wildlife....yes true a hunter but not for sport... and he appreciate the animal he shot. He appreciated the beauity of this country...and it showed in our coinsge of that time period. I will venture to say that the Buffalo nickel is the true symbolism of the United states.
