Preserving 1913 Buffalo Nickels: Expert Conservation Strategies for Type 1 and Type 2 Varieties

The Fragile Legacy of America’s Buffalo Nickel

Few things pain a numismatist more than seeing a historic coin’s numismatic value destroyed by well-intentioned mistakes. Let’s preserve those iconic 1913 Type 1 and Type 2 Buffalo Nickels properly – these aren’t just pocket change, but sculptural masterpieces whispering stories of the American West. Their survival hinges on understanding three fragile elements: Fraser’s revolutionary design, the nickel-copper alloy’s chemistry, and our own stewardship choices.

Historical Significance of the 1913 Buffalo Nickel Series

When James Earle Fraser’s Buffalo Nickel debuted in 1913, it shattered coinage conventions. Gone were staid allegorical figures – here was real history, modeled after Iron Tail (Lakota) and Black Diamond (New York Zoo bison). That first turbulent year gave us two prized varieties:

• Type 1 (Mound Variety): Boldly proclaims “FIVE CENTS” on an exquisitely detailed mound – a design so striking it literally couldn’t withstand mass production
• Type 2 (Hollow Ground Variety): The emergency fix that recessed the denomination, creating one of America’s first rare varieties born from technical necessity

Both types share a 75% copper, 25% nickel composition that reacts dramatically to its environment. This isn’t just metallurgy – it’s the reason your Buffalo Nickels need specialized care today.

Proof vs. Circulation Strikes: A Collector’s Crucible

"When in doubt look at the rims. They should cut like a knife’s edge – no softness anywhere." – Veteran Forum Member

This wisdom cuts to the heart of Buffalo Nickel preservation. Those 1913 Matte Proofs (only 1,520 struck!) demand archival rigor, but even a well-struck business coin like Steve’s Type 1 deserves protection. Notice in the forum images:

• The frosty luster clinging to the Native American’s cheekbone
• How the buffalo’s shoulder muscles show three-dimensional depth
• Delicate golden patina framing the devices

These subtleties determine collectibility. Let environmental damage obscure them, and you’ve erased both beauty and value.

The Four Horsemen of Numismatic Destruction

1. Toning: Nature’s Controversial Artistry

That rainbow sheen on your Type 2’s field? That’s sulfur and time collaborating. Buffalo Nickels develop spectacular toning when stored properly:

• In chemically buffered Saflip sleeves (never PVC!)
• Between 65-70°F – think museum vault, not attic
• With humidity kept below 50% to prevent rouge

But leave one in a cardboard Whitman folder? You’ll get corrosive splotches devouring Fraser’s artistry.

2. Oxidation: When Air Becomes Enemy

Buffalo Nickels betray distress through two telltale signs:

• Red Spots: Copper pushing through like bleeding wounds
• Gray Hazing: Nickel surrendering to oxygen, dulling the strike’s brilliance

Combat this with silica gel packets and cotton gloves – your fingers’ oils accelerate decay.

3. PVC Damage: The Collector’s Betrayal

Those flexible plastic flips from coin shows? Many are Trojan horses. PVC breaks down into hydrochloric acid:

• First a greasy film dulls the luster
• Then pitting attacks high points – the bison’s horn becomes fuzzy
• Finally, verdigris crust permanently scars surfaces

Transfer coins to PVC-free archival holders immediately. Your grandchildren’s collections depend on it.

4. Cleaning Crimes Against History

"Great looking Type 1 – precisely because nobody ‘helped’ it!" – Forum Sage

Every buffalo nickel carries micro-scars from circulation – that’s provenance, not filth. Destroying its story with abrasives is numismatic sacrilege:

• Baking soda = sandpaper on Steroids
• Chemical dips = forced patina death
• Vigorous rubbing = hairline scratch graffiti

If you inherit cleaned coins, professional conservators (PCGS/NGC only!) can stabilize without altering surfaces.

Optimal Storage: Building a Time Capsule

Protection Hierarchy:

• NGC/PCGS Slabs: For gem specimens – the Fort Knox of numismatics
• Intercept Shield Protectors: Neutralizes sulfur like a chemical bouncer
• Mylar Flips in Dansk Albums: For type sets needing frequent admiration

Store vertically in fireproof safes with GoldenRod dehumidifiers. Handle like Renaissance art – because that’s what Fraser gave us.

The Cleaning Debate: Why Originality Always Wins

Imagine dipping Fraser’s bronze sculptures in acid – that’s what cleaning does. That “bag of nickels” from Grandpa? Their milk spots and carbon flecks are historical fingerprints. Cleaning:

• Scrubs away original mint luster – irreplaceable as a fingerprint
• Creates telltale “cartwheel effect” destruction under a loupe
• Slams doors at grading services (details graded “Cleaned” forever)

Value lives in authenticity. Preserve the story.

Conclusion: Becoming History’s Caretakers

When you hold a 1913 Buffalo Nickel, you’re gripping history – Teddy Roosevelt’s reformed coinage, Fraser’s vanished models, a bison on the brink of extinction. Whether it’s a Type 1 with “FIVE CENTS” proudly raised or a Type 2 bearing the hollow-ground fix, these coins survived wars, depressions, and melting pots. Now they need us. Proper storage isn’t just protection – it’s respect. As one collector perfectly observed, “Their beauty deepens when preserved honestly.” So let’s honor Fraser’s legacy: keep them original, keep them stable, keep them telling stories for another century.

Related Resources

You might also find these related articles helpful:

• Grading 1913 Buffalo Nickels: How Condition Separates $10 Coins from $1,000 Rarities – Historical Significance: The 1913 Buffalo Nickel Revolution When it comes to Buffalo Nickels, condition isn’t just…
• Authenticating 1913 Buffalo Nickels: Proof vs. Circulation Strikes and How to Spot Counterfeits – Counterfeit Crisis: Why Your 1913 Buffalo Nickel Demands a Keen Eye After three decades of examining early 20th-century …
• Buffalo Nickel Treasure Hunt: Spotting Errors and Proofs in 1913 Type 1 & Type 2 Varieties – When you hold a 1913 Buffalo Nickel, you’re not just handling pocket change – you’re gripping a piece …