1913-S 5C Buffalo Nickel, Type 1 PCGS MS65 (CAC)

David Hall writes, "The 1913-S is the lowest mintage (by a mile) of the three Type 1 Buffalo nickels and is in fact one of the lower mintages of the entire Buffalo nickel series....Like most S-mints, the 1913-S is generally not as well struck as the Denver and Philadelphia issues of this year....Luster is typically satiny, almost matte-like."  However, this example is an anomaly, for it is sharply-struck with full details! David Bowers writes, "...finding a truly nice one, from a fresh die pair, will take some looking." But AUCM has saved you time, for you will be hard pressed to find a nicer example than the one offered here!

It was in 1911 that renowned sculptor James Earle Fraser heard that a new nickel design was being sought by U.S. Treasury Secretary Franklin MacVeagh. Fraser contacted and later met with Mint Director George E. Roberts and other mint officials. “I realize that no definite commission has been given me in regard to the designs for the new coins,” wrote Fraser to MacVeagh, but nonetheless he acted as if it were a fait accompli. Continuing, the designer wrote that the "idea of the Indian and the buffalo on the same coin is without doubt, purely American and seems to be singularly appropriate to have on one of our national coins …Therefore, I should like to ask whether or not you would consider placing these designs on the new model." MacVeagh never brought in other artists and “made up his mind that if any change was to be made he wanted the Fraser designs.” The artist was asked to lower the relief and make some other slight changes. The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts approved the modified design, which was then signed off by the president.