1913 Buffalo Nickel Var. 1

James Earle Fraser's new nickel debuted in late winter of 1913 amid much fanfare. Most Americans found favor with the design, and huge numbers of these coins were saved as souvenirs. This hoarding only increased when the reverse was modified a few months later. As in 1883, rumors spread that the original issue would be recalled which, of course, was not the case.

As a result of such widespread hoarding, Type 1 nickels of the Philadelphia Mint are extremely common across all but the highest grades. The vast majority of Mint State survivors show the effects of die erosion to some degree, and many also show obvious die clashing, which was quite prevalent with this coin type.

A number of very minor doubled-die obverse and reverse varieties are known for this issue, but these are of little interest. A so-called 3-1/2 legged die state is known, as well, but this is not a true variety and is not recognized by NGC.