Despite attempts by the Mint to adjust the design, the coins proved to strike indistinctly, and to be subject to wear—the dates were easily worn away in circulation. In 1938, after the expiration of the minimum 25-year, it was replaced by the Jefferson nickel, designed by Felix Schlag. Fraser's design is admired today, and has been used on commemorative coins and the gold American Buffalo series.

According to Fraser, the portrait on the Buffalo Nickel, is a composite of three different Native Americans: Chief Iron Tail of the Oglala Lakota, Chief Two Moons of the Cheyenne, and Chief John Big Tree of the Kiowa. “Fraser stated that Chief Iron Tail was the best Indian head for his designs,” reports USA Coin Books. If Fraser's goal was to create a Native American portrait, but not associate the facial features with any specific tribe, he achieved his goal masterfully.

OBVERSE: Right profile of a Native American.

Lettering: LIBERTY 1927 F

Engraver: James Earle Fraser

REVERSE: A standing American bison facing left with the country name above and the denomination below.

Lettering: UNITED·STATES·OF·AMERICA E PLURIBUS UNUM FIVE CENTS S

Translation E Plurus Unum: Out of Many One

Engraver: James Earle Fraser

EDGE: Smooth

Designer : "F" - James Earle Fraser (1876- 1953), was an American sculptor. 

Mint : "S" - San Francisco United States

Mintage in 1927 S       3 430 000

Country                        United States 

Type                        Standard circulation coin

Years                        1913-1938

Value                              5 Cents 

Currency                     Dollar (since 1785)

Composition              Copper-nickel (75% Cu 25% Ni)

Weight                          5 g

Diameter                    21.2 mm

Thickness                   1.95 mm

Shape                        Round

Orientation               Coin alignment ↑↓