| Continued from Part I | | | | additional changes that also would have to be |
| A buffalo (bison) named Black Diamond, who was | | | | made. |
| a resident of the New York Zoological Park | | | | Fraser complained to MacVeagh about the |
| served as the model. Fraser utilized a little artistic | | | | circus-like atmosphere. MacVeagh tended to |
| freedom to depict the bison as though he was on | | | | agree, and asked Mint Director Roberts to settle |
| the Great Plains. A few years after the release of | | | | the matter quietly by not asking the artist to do |
| the nickel, Black Diamond was sold to a meat | | | | anything more. Roberts saw the matter |
| packing plant who then sold him as Black Diamond | | | | differently and ordered Fraser to work on the |
| steaks despite numerous attempts to save him. | | | | latest list of Hobbs' demands. It was now nearly |
| The stuffed head of Black Diamond was displayed | | | | the middle of February 1913, and there was no |
| at a major coin convention during the 1980's. | | | | end in sight. The artist complained once again to |
| The American Indian fascinated Fraser, so much | | | | the Treasury. |
| so that it was no surprise he chose an Indian | | | | Finally, on February 15th, MacVeagh set up a final |
| design for the 5-cent coin design. Fraser, who | | | | conference that was held with all interested |
| grew up in the Dakota Territory in the 1880's | | | | parties with the end result being MacVeagh |
| was a witness to the slaughter of the American | | | | ordering an end to the matter and that the most |
| buffalo and the destruction of the way of life of | | | | recent designs be used. Production began on |
| Native Americans of the Great Plains. By creating | | | | February 21, 1913 with a single coining press at |
| the Buffalo Nickel, Fraser was able to honor and | | | | the Philadelphia Mint started turning out the nickels |
| preserve an important part of American history. | | | | at the rate of 120 a minute. |
| The preliminary sketches were very impressive | | | | When the coins reached circulation, public reaction |
| and Mint Director George E. Roberts, who also | | | | was mixed. Although MacVeagh promised the |
| had held that post when President Roosevelt | | | | nickel would be "immensely interesting and |
| revamped the coinage, was highly enthusiastic. | | | | beautiful." the New York Times condemned them |
| Although the designs were, on general principle, | | | | as a "travesty on artistic effect." Other critics said |
| quickly approved by Secretary MacVeagh, quite | | | | that the coin's "rough" surfaces would encourage |
| some time passed while various officials argued | | | | counterfeiters (I guess a nickel went a long way |
| among themselves how the details should appear | | | | back then). Unfortunately, the biggest complaint, |
| on the coin. By June 26, 1912, Roberts had | | | | and one that would plague the nickel forever was |
| tentatively approved plaster models of the new | | | | the complaint about the nickels inability to |
| five-cent coin-although he did request that Fraser | | | | withstand heavy use. One coin collectors' |
| lower the relief somewhat. | | | | magazine predicted that the slightest wear would |
| During the summer of 1912, all was going well and | | | | obliterate the date and the inscription Five Cents |
| a finished product was close at hand, or so it | | | | "beyond understanding." Sure enough, although |
| seemed. The Hobbs Company of New York, a | | | | now in circulation for only a month it was noticed |
| manufacturer of coin-operated vending machines, | | | | that the lettering for the words 'FIVE CENTS' on |
| got wind of the planned design change on the | | | | the Buffalo Nickels was wearing away. The words |
| five-cent piece and wanted to review the designs | | | | were positioned within the outline of the raised |
| for they feared the new design would not work | | | | mound on which the buffalo was standing. The |
| in their vending machines. | | | | early coins showed the bison standing on a grassy |
| Several months of bickering, changes, etc would | | | | mound. For the new version, engraver Charles |
| ensue between Hobbs, Fraser, MacVeagh, etc. In | | | | Barber cut away the base of the mound to make |
| December of 1912, MacVeagh grew tired of the | | | | a straight line. He also lowered the words Five |
| mess and ordered that Fraser be allowed to | | | | Cents so the rim would protect them from wear. |
| complete his work. In late 1912/early 1913, models | | | | Collectors noticed right away that the inscription |
| went to Chief Engraver Charles Barber, who | | | | was clearer. But the changes did not help the date |
| oversaw the preparation of dies and the striking | | | | on the other side of the coin. Excessive wear of |
| of pattern coins early in January 1913. It is known | | | | the numerals continued to plague Buffalo nickels. |
| that Barber was cooperative in the effort, which | | | | Barber again made minor modifications in 1916 by |
| was uncharacteristic of him considering that the | | | | lowering the relief of the head and strengthening |
| coin being replaced was one he designed and he | | | | several details, including the nose. In addition, the |
| had no or little input into the new design. | | | | lettering of the word LIBERTY was made heavier. |
| All seemed well until, somehow, a pattern coin fell | | | | Although the date problem was now well known, |
| into the hands of one of the Hobbs folks and the | | | | with all the modifications Barber made, he never |
| design war began once again. Changes were | | | | addressed the problem of the date wearing down |
| asked and the Mint Bureau agreed. The changes | | | | too rapidly. That was unfortunate as now we see |
| were accommodated without sacrificing artistic | | | | all the games being played with acid, etc., in order |
| creativity and once again all seemed well as it | | | | to restore dates. More on acid date recovery |
| seemed the Hobbs folks were content. Again, so | | | | later. By the end of 1937 planning for the Buffalo |
| it seemed. Although the on-site engineer indicated | | | | nickel's successor was well under way, as the |
| that all seemed fine, once the engineer returned | | | | design's required 25 years would end the following |
| to company headquarters in New York, Hobbs' | | | | year. It was to be replaced by the third coin to |
| officials did an abrupt about-face. The company | | | | bear a likeness of one of our presidents, Thomas |
| now wrote the Mint that the latest pattern was | | | | Jefferson. |
| totally unacceptable-and produced a long list of | | | | |