The Indian Head nickel or also known as the Buffalo nickel, was designed by James Earle Fraser and was minted from 1913 to 1938. There was a change made on the reverse design when Indian Head nickels were in the circulation. The "FIVE CENTS" inscription which originally rested on a raised mound at the bottom of reverse was easily worn out due to the fact that it was one of the highest spots on the Indian Head nickel. Thus the raised mound was removed and the inscription was lowered by Charles Barber during Indian Head nickel first year of production.

Indian Head nickels were removed from circulation in the 1950s and 1960s in various degrees of wear. Today, there are approximately 1 in 25,000 nickels in circulation today is a Buffalo Nickel (Indian Head nickel).