-
Inventory:
1 In Stock
- Product ID: 18125
Checkout
The Buffalo Nickel 1920-S in Extra Fine condition is a striking and historically important example from one of America’s most iconic coin series. Struck at the San Francisco Mint during the early years of the 1920s, this coin is highly valued among collectors for its relative scarcity, distinctive mintmark, and enduring frontier-themed design. The Buffalo nickel series, introduced in 1913, was revolutionary in American numismatics for its bold departure from classical themes and its embrace of American identity through native and western imagery. The 1920-S stands out as a challenging date in the series, and well-preserved examples in Extra Fine condition are especially desirable for their remaining detail and historical appeal.
The Buffalo nickel was designed by the acclaimed sculptor James Earle Fraser, who was heavily influenced by his upbringing in the American Midwest during the final days of the frontier. Fraser sought to honor Native American heritage and the rugged, natural beauty of the American West through his coin design. The obverse of the nickel features a powerful right-facing profile of a Native American warrior, while the reverse showcases a proud American bison standing on a raised mound. This combination created one of the most instantly recognizable and artistically significant designs in American coinage, praised for its realism and cultural symbolism.
The obverse of the 1920-S Buffalo nickel features the sharply defined profile of a Native American chief, with braided hair and a feathered headdress. The word “LIBERTY” is positioned along the upper right rim, and the date “1920” is located just below the neckline on the lower left. In Extra Fine condition, the central facial features—such as the brow, eye, nose, and lips—are still strong and expressive. There is moderate wear on the cheek and high points of the hair and feathers, but the intricate detail of the portrait remains visually appealing. The date is completely legible, and the outer rim remains well defined, preserving the integrity of the design.
The reverse features an American bison facing left, standing atop a raised mound. The inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” arc above the bison’s back, while the denomination “FIVE CENTS” appears below, just above the “S” mintmark for San Francisco. In Extra Fine condition, the bison’s body, legs, and hump retain much of their shape, with a noticeable presence of fur detail across the shoulders and flanks. The tail and front leg exhibit some wear but remain distinct, and the raised mound beneath the animal is clearly separated from the surrounding field. The “FIVE CENTS” and “S” mintmark are sharp and fully intact, important details for verifying authenticity and grade.
The 1920-S Buffalo nickel was struck at the San Francisco Mint, one of the three mints producing this series alongside Philadelphia and Denver. The San Francisco Mint was responsible for serving the coinage needs of the western United States and was known for producing lower-mintage issues during this time. The total mintage of the 1920-S nickel was 9,689,000, which is significantly smaller than the Philadelphia mintage for the same year. Despite not being a key date in absolute rarity, the 1920-S is a semi-key in higher grades due to inconsistent striking quality and heavy circulation. As a result, well-preserved coins with strong detail and minimal wear are highly sought after.
One of the defining challenges with Buffalo nickels, especially those struck in San Francisco, is weak or uneven striking. This issue is frequently seen on the reverse, particularly in the bison’s head, horn, and front leg, where detail may be soft even on relatively high-grade coins. The 1920-S is especially known for these strike issues, which, when combined with the heavy use of coinage in the western economy, has left collectors with a limited number of sharply struck examples. In Extra Fine condition, these strike challenges are often still apparent, but enough detail remains to clearly distinguish the coin’s major elements and appreciate the beauty of Fraser’s design.
In Extra Fine (XF) condition, a 1920-S Buffalo nickel exhibits moderate, uniform wear across both the obverse and reverse but maintains much of the original design integrity. On the obverse, details in the hair braid, feathers, and facial contours remain visible, though the highest points are slightly smoothed. The rim is well defined, and the date remains bold. The reverse showcases a clearly outlined bison, with some loss of fine texture in the shoulder and haunches, but overall form remains bold and balanced. The lettering and mintmark are crisp, and the coin presents strong eye appeal, especially for a date known for strike and wear issues.
The surfaces of an Extra Fine 1920-S Buffalo nickel often display rich, original patina, with hues ranging from soft gray and light brown to golden or olive tones. This natural toning results from decades of circulation and storage and is highly desirable among collectors for its authenticity. Minor contact marks or abrasions are typical and acceptable in this grade, provided they do not significantly detract from the coin’s visual appeal. Coins that have not been cleaned or altered are especially prized, and an original XF specimen with attractive toning and clean fields can command a premium over lesser-preserved examples.
The 1920-S also holds historical significance as a product of post-World War I America. The year marked a time of transition, as the country began to shift away from wartime production and entered a decade of economic growth and social change. Buffalo nickels like the 1920-S circulated widely across the United States and played a central role in daily commerce, making them silent witnesses to the evolving landscape of American life. Their design, rooted in imagery of a vanishing frontier, served as a cultural counterpoint to the modernization sweeping across cities and towns in the early 20th century.
Collectors regard the 1920-S Buffalo nickel in Extra Fine condition as a rewarding acquisition that bridges scarcity, artistry, and preservation. While Mint State examples exist, they are significantly more difficult to find and often come at a high cost. Extra Fine coins offer a strong compromise—preserving much of the design detail while remaining accessible to a broader range of collectors. Whether pursued as part of a complete Buffalo nickel set, a specialized San Francisco Mint collection, or as a standalone piece of historical interest, the 1920-S XF nickel stands as a tangible link to a formative era in American coinage and culture.
The Buffalo Nickel 1920-S Extra Fine exemplifies the enduring legacy of James Earle Fraser’s masterful design, the historical richness of early 20th-century America, and the challenge and satisfaction of collecting classic U.S. coinage. Its relatively low mintage, known strike difficulties, and preserved artistry make it a standout piece in any collection. With its bold imagery, moderate rarity, and tangible connection to a bygone era, the 1920-S Buffalo nickel in XF condition continues to capture the imagination of collectors and remains a timeless testament to the strength and beauty of American numismatics.