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The Certified 1913-S Type 2 Buffalo Nickel graded G4 by PCGS is a historically important and highly collectible coin, representing both the inaugural year of the Buffalo Nickel series and a notable design revision within the same year. Designed by James Earle Fraser, this series was introduced to replace the Liberty Head (or “V” Nickel) and reflected a bold new direction in American coin artistry. The 1913-S Type 2 issue is particularly significant as it marks the first year that the San Francisco Mint struck nickels with the revised Type 2 reverse, a change made to improve durability and preserve design details in circulation. Though heavily worn in its current G4 grade, this example remains a vital and desirable part of early 20th-century U.S. numismatics.
On the obverse of the 1913-S Buffalo Nickel is the celebrated profile of a Native American warrior facing right, a composite portrait based on several real-life Native individuals, including Iron Tail and Two Moons. Even in G4 condition, the profile remains recognizable, though significant wear has removed much of the finer detail. Liberty's facial features are flattened, with only faint traces of hair and braid structure visible. The word “LIBERTY” along the right rim is typically weak or partially missing in this grade, and the date “1913” is present but worn to the edge of visibility. Despite the wear, the coin still conveys the strength and authenticity of Fraser’s original sculptural intent, serving as a weathered yet powerful representation of American coin art.
The reverse of the coin features a large, majestic American bison standing on a raised mound. The Type 2 design, which replaced the original Type 1 raised mound reverse, shows the bison standing on a flat plain with the denomination “FIVE CENTS” recessed below. This adjustment was made because the raised denomination of Type 1 wore away too quickly in circulation. On this 1913-S Type 2 in G4 condition, the bison’s figure is heavily worn, with the horn, shoulder, and rump often blending into the surrounding field. However, the animal’s outline remains intact, and the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” are still mostly legible. The “S” mintmark, denoting the San Francisco Mint, is located beneath the “FIVE CENTS” and can usually be seen even on well-worn examples.
The 1913-S Type 2 Buffalo Nickel had a relatively low mintage of just 1,209,000 pieces, making it one of the scarcer issues in the entire series. It was the only Type 2 Buffalo Nickel struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1913, as both Philadelphia and Denver issued coins in both Types 1 and 2. The low mintage, combined with the heavy use of these nickels in everyday transactions, makes any surviving example of the 1913-S Type 2 highly collectible, even in low grades such as G4. Many coins of this issue were lost to attrition or rendered dateless through circulation, so certified pieces that retain their date and mintmark are especially valued among series collectors.
The Buffalo Nickel series as a whole is widely beloved for its uniquely American themes, rugged design, and historical significance. James Earle Fraser’s artistic vision sought to honor both the Native American heritage of the United States and its frontier wildlife. The switch from Type 1 to Type 2 during 1913 illustrates the practical considerations that must be balanced with artistic goals in coinage design. The early issues of the series, especially those with low mintages and notable design modifications, are of keen interest to both novice and advanced numismatists. The 1913-S Type 2 stands out as a key issue that exemplifies this balance of artistry, utility, and rarity.
PCGS, or Professional Coin Grading Service, is one of the most respected third-party grading services in the numismatic world. Its certification of this coin as G4 confirms both its authenticity and its Good condition. A G4 grade indicates that the coin has experienced heavy circulation wear but retains a full rim and enough detail for clear attribution of date and type. While such coins do not offer the visual sharpness of higher grades, they serve as accessible and historically rich entry points into collecting. The certification slab provides long-term protection and adds liquidity, as collectors and dealers trust PCGS grading for valuation and resale purposes.
Collectors often seek the 1913-S Type 2 Buffalo Nickel to complete a full set of the series, which ran from 1913 through 1938. Early San Francisco issues, particularly in the first few years of the series, are consistently tougher to locate than their Philadelphia or Denver counterparts. The 1913-S Type 2 is no exception and is widely recognized as a semi-key date in circulated grades. Even in Good condition, demand remains strong because it is necessary for any date/mintmark set and is difficult to source with a clearly legible date and mintmark. For those working on a “lowball” set—collecting the lowest grades of each date and mint—the G4 certified piece is an ideal and often budget-friendly choice.
Although heavily worn, this 1913-S Type 2 Buffalo Nickel carries considerable historical appeal. It was struck during the Progressive Era, a time of rapid social reform and industrial growth in the United States. The buffalo on the reverse, modeled after “Black Diamond,” a resident bison of the Bronx Zoo, stands as a testament to the disappearing frontier and an early effort at wildlife conservation imagery. The Native American obverse, though stylized, was a progressive departure from traditional U.S. coinage that had long featured mythological or neoclassical representations. This coin was a bold statement of national identity and artistic evolution, capturing a snapshot of American values and aesthetics at the turn of the century.
In today’s numismatic market, the 1913-S Type 2 Buffalo Nickel in G4 remains a popular collector coin. While not a condition rarity, it is a date/mint scarcity, especially in original, certified form. It provides a tangible connection to the series’ inception, the Mint’s mid-year design changes, and the rugged utility of early 20th-century coinage. Despite its wear, the coin’s surfaces retain their integrity, and its presence in a PCGS holder ensures authenticity and offers a strong foundation for a growing collection. Coins like this often serve as conversation pieces and educational tools, illuminating both design evolution and the everyday monetary history of the United States.
In conclusion, the Certified 1913-S Type 2 Buffalo Nickel graded G4 by PCGS is a meaningful and collectible artifact from one of America’s most iconic coin series. Though worn from circulation, it retains essential design elements, a visible date and mintmark, and certified authenticity. With its low mintage, transitional-year significance, and enduring symbolism, this coin stands as an important early issue for Buffalo Nickel enthusiasts and collectors of historical American coinage alike.