1936 Buffalo Nickel Obverse Appraisal

1936 Buffalo Nickel (Obverse)

The item is a United States Buffalo Nickel, specifically depicting the obverse (front) side of the coin. The coin is made of a copper-nickel alloy, commonly referred to as cupronickel, as mandated for Buffalo Nickels. Its color appears to be a dull silver-grey, consistent with aged and circulated cupronickel coinage. The obverse features a prominent profile bust of a Native American chief, facing right. He wears two braids and feathers in his hair, with details of his facial features and headwear still discernible, indicating some level of preservation despite wear. Below the chief's chin, the date '1936' is clearly visible, identifying the year of mintage. To the right of the chief's face, the word 'LIBERTY' is faintly inscribed along the rim, though the last few letters are somewhat worn. There are no immediate visible mint marks, which would typically be located below the date on Buffalo Nickels from this period; however, only the obverse is visible in this image. The coin exhibits moderate circulation wear, characterized by flattened high points on the chief's features and hair, and some noticeable scratches and superficial abrasions across its surface, indicative of its age and history of handling. There are no obvious signs of significant damage such as bends or holes, nor any evidence of repairs. The overall condition suggests it is a circulated coin, with a visible patina that is typical for coins of this metallic composition and age. The craftsmanship is consistent with early 20th-century U.S. coinage design by James Earle Fraser. The style period is early 20th-century American coinage (1913-1938).