Composition of the New Buffalo Nickel

Design

• The reverse of the new nickel was designed by Jamie Franki and produced by Norman Nemeth. The bison is depicted in profile facing to the right -- the opposite of the original buffalo nickel design. The bison is surrounded by the words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "FIVE CENTS," which wrap around the edge of the reverse. The Mint chose to honor the nickel due to the bison's frequent mention in the journals from the trip, which discuss the importance of the animal to many Native American cultures.

Composition

• The new nickels comprise 75 percent copper and 25 percent nickel, a composition that has remain relatively unchanged for this coin throughout its history. The coin features a diameter of 21 mm and a weight of 5 g. The U.S. Mint issued some silver proofs of the coin that it sold directly to collectors. These are composed of 90 percent silver.

Values

• Circulated copies of the new buffalo nickels carry no additional value above the five-cent face value. Examples considered uncirculated, or MS-63, can sell for about 25 cents in 2011 prices. Only coins with no wear and very few contact marks grade this highly. The silver proof coins tend to sell for between $5 and $8.

Circulation

• The coin was struck at U.S. Mint locations in Philadelphia and Denver. The Philadelphia mint produced 448 million copies of the nickels, while the Denver mint struck 488 million copies. About 3.3 million copies of the silver proof were issued.