Whitman Expo
1916 Doubled Die Obverse Nickel MS FS-101 Values
Details
The 1916 doubled die Buffalo nickel is an extremely rare and popular error variety, and it’s certainly the most sought-after doubled die in the entire series. One reason this coin is so well pursued by collectors is that the doubling is clearly visible with the naked eye and is most prominent in the date as well as in the mouth area of the Indian chief.
Survival estimates for this issue range from 200 to 500 pieces. Among this small group of survivors, this coin is most commonly encountered in the mid-range circulated grades between Fine and Extremely Fine. The coin becomes extremely tough going up the grading scale to About Uncirculated and is all but elusive in the uncirculated grades, with less than two dozen known survivors. Presently, MS64 is the highest grade awarded by either PCGS or NGC, with a PCGS example once snagging more $250,000 in a 2013 Legend Rare Coins auction.
Obverse: James Earle Fraser's famous and simple design depicts a Native American chief with the word LIBERTY from 1-2 o'clock. The date is placed on the lower left of the chieftain's bust.
Reverse: A full portrait of the bison, Black Diamond, with the words UNITED STATES oF AMERICA at the top periphery with the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM just underneath. The denomination FIVE CENTS is spelled out at the bottom. For the Type 1, the denomination is embossed on a flat surface.
Mint & Coinage Details
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
63,497,466
Coinage Type:
Buffalo nickel
Coinage Years:
1913-1938
Composition:
75% copper; 25% nickel
Varieties and Classification
Variety:
Doubled Die Obverse
Variety 2:
FS-101
Physical Characteristics
Weight:
5 gr
Weight:
0.1608 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
21.2 mm
Coin Shape:
Round
Design Details
Designer:
James Earle Fraser
Obverse Lettering:
LIBERTY, 1916
Obverse Designer:
James Earle Fraser
Reverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, FIVE CENTS
Reverse Designer:
James Earle Fraser
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