US Buffalo Nickel (not authenticated)

This physical item is a United States five-cent coin, commonly known as an Indian Head or Buffalo nickel, composed of a copper-nickel alloy showing a dull, circulated metallic finish with gray and silver tones. The obverse depicts the right-facing profile of a Native American figure with feathers in their hair, alongside visible lettering reading 'LIBERTY' near the upper right rim. The coin displays moderate to heavy wear typical of circulation, including flattened high points on the hair and facial features, numerous surface scratches and abrasions, and a prominent diagonal scratch or mark crossing the central field of the profile. The reverse is not visible in this image. The stylistic design matches the work of sculptor James Earle Fraser, which was minted from 1913 to 1938. The identification of the coin type rests on the distinct obverse imagery, while the specific year and mint mark cannot be independently read from this side alone. The owner provides supplementary context stating this is a 1929-D nickel in good condition, but this user-supplied claim is unverified and cannot be confirmed from the visual evidence presented in the photograph.

Based on what I can see in the photograph, this item appears to be a United States Buffalo nickel featuring the classic obverse design by James Earle Fraser. I can't verify from a photo alone whether the metal composition, exact year, and mint mark correspond to the owner's claim, as the reverse is not visible and the surface shows moderate to heavy wear with significant abrasions and a prominent scratch across the profile. Per user submission, the owner identifies this as a 1929-D nickel in good condition. Assuming this working assumption is correct, a 1929-D Buffalo nickel in worn condition typically trades within the $10 to $20 range in the current collector market, driven by steady demand for classic twentieth-century US coinage. However, this estimate is entirely dependent on the accuracy of the assumed date, mint mark, and metallic composition. Would need physical inspection to confirm the actual grade and attribution. If the piece turns out to be a modern replica, altered-date novelty, or counterfeit, its value would drop significantly to a nominal novelty value of under $2. To establish the precise grade and market value, an in-person examination by a numismatic expert or third-party grading service is necessary.