Buffalo Nickel Brilliant Finish 5 Cents PR 1936-1937 Values

Details

Following a 20-year hiatus from striking proof coins, the US Mint resumed making proof coinage in 1936, and with a few wartime and economic crisis interruptions has continued the program to this day ever since. The tail end of the Buffalo nickel series happened to catch the beginning of this renaissance in proof coin production, and two types of proof Buffalo nickels were made during the series last two full years of production. The first of the 1936 proof Buffalo nickels were produced with a satin finish, quite similar in appearance to the earlier matte proofs made during the teens. In short order, the satin finish was replaced by a brilliant finish which proved popular with collectors. The remainder of the 1936 proofs and all 1937 proof Buffalo nickels exhibit the brilliant proof finish.

Obverse: James Earle Fraser's famous and simple design depicts a Native American chief with the word LIBERTY from 1-2 o'clock. The date is placed on the lower left of the chieftain's bust.

Reverse: A full portrait of the bison, Black Diamond, with the words UNITED STATES oF AMERICA at the top periphery with the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM just underneath. The denomination FIVE CENTS is spelled out at the bottom. For the Type 1, the denomination is embossed on a flat surface.