Bob H. writes: What is the name of the buffalo on the nickel?
Ah, you’ve come to the right place for that question! Buffalo nickels are a favorite of mine. I always thought that James Earle Fraser’s design had class even though it might not be thought of as being “politically correct” today. I like to think that it is our first coinage tribute to Native Americans.
The indian on the obverse is really a composite portrait of three indians, Iron Tail, the famous indian that beat the pants and scalp off of General Custer at Little Big Horn, Two Moons and Chief John Tree. And oh yes, the buffalo, actually really a bison, was named Black Diamond and he didn’t get to thunder around much since he was a resident of the Bronx Zoo in New York.
