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What Percentage of Copper Is in a Buffalo Nickel?

The "buffalo" nickel was struck by the U.S. Mint from 1913 to 1938. It is so named because it features a buffalo on the reverse side, with a Native American on the front. It is alternatively called a bison or Indian head nickel.

Composition
- The nickel is composed of 75 percent copper and 25 percent nickel.
Size
- The coin is 21 mm in diameter and weighs 5 grams.
Values
- The coin is most commonly found in well-worn "good" and "fine" conditions. Older variations in these conditions can fetch $5 to $15, while nickels from the 1930s are usually only worth a dollar or two.
History
- The coin was designed by James Earle Fraser. The buffalo is allegedly modeled after one called "Black Diamond" at the New York Central Park Zoo.
Rarities
- Matte proofs were made for collectors the first four years of the coin's mintage (1913-1916) and are hard to find. They are generally valued at around $1,000.

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