Always Check Your Change

in #coins3 years ago

Hello there! Are there any numismatists out there? What's that you say? That's the official name for someone who collects coins! Now that you know, let's discuss the story of the coin in question.

The other day, I was searching for a quarter to use as a deposit for the shopping cart before I went grocery shopping. I was rummaging through the coins when I thought I caught a glimpse of something out of the ordinary. I looked closer and found this.

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It's a 1935 "buffalo nickel". This beautiful coin features a Native American on the obverse and a bison on the reverse. It's one of several coins in American history depicting Native Americans, with such notables as the "Indian head penny", the Sacagawea dollar, and the "3 sisters" coin depicting a Native American planting corn, beans, and squash. There are older gold coins that were minted as well but I don't know much about those.
The Buffalo nickel was designed by James Earle Fraser in 1912 and struck from 1913 to 1938. It was part of the initiative in the early 1900s to beautify the coinage. The nickel's composition is 75% copper, 25% nickel so we really sound be calling it the "Buffalo copper". The coin is subject to wear, which is probably due to the high copper content. The dates easily got worn away in circulation. After 25 years of circulation, the minimum time for replacement of the design, congress authorized the Jefferson nickel to be its replacement. And so ends the history of this beautiful coin.
You can still use the nickel today, though it is worth more for its numismatic value than its face value. People still unwittingly use the coin. While I worked as a cashier, I found one as well, along with many silver dimes and quarters!

That's all I have for today! Be on the lookout for pieces of history in your coin change! Until next time!

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This design of buffalo nickel is my favorite!!!

Mine as well! I love finding these. It's anyways a pleasant surprise.

It sure is!!!

It's a nice-looking coin.