1937 Coin Appraisal

1937 Buffalo Nickel (Indian Head Nickel)

The item is a United States five-cent coin, commonly known as a Buffalo Nickel or Indian Head Nickel, minted in the year 1937. It is made of a copper-nickel alloy, typical for this denomination and era. The coin features the profile of a Native American chief on the obverse, facing right. Details visible include feathers in his headdress, braided hair, and facial contours, although these features exhibit significant wear. The word 'LIBERTY' is faintly discernible along the upper right rim of the obverse, following the curve of the coin. The minting year '1937' is clearly visible at the bottom left of the obverse, below the chief's chin. The coin displays a generally dull, silvery-gray metallic color with areas of darker toning, indicating age and environmental exposure. There are no discernible mint marks visible in the provided image, which would typically be located below the 'FIVE CENTS' on the reverse. The surfaces show considerable wear, consistent with circulation, resulting in a loss of finer details in the design. There are also visible scratches and abrasions on both the raised areas and the fields of the coin, contributing to its circulated condition. No significant damage such as bends, holes, or major repairs are evident, though surface imperfections are numerous. The edging of the coin appears relatively smooth, indicating some wear from handling. This coin belongs to a series minted from 1913 to 1938, placing its style firmly within the early 20th-century American coinage design, characterized by its distinctive art-deco influences and depiction of American frontier themes. The quality of craftsmanship, even with wear, suggests standard government mint production.