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James E Fraser Buffalo Nickel Plaster Maquette (Model) Obverse

BuffaloIronTailBuffaloIronTail Posts: 7,549 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited October 7, 2018 9:58AM in U.S. Coin Forum

It's about the size of a plate

Pete

"I tell them there's no problems.....only solutions" - John Lennon

Comments

  • SmudgeSmudge Posts: 9,823 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Now that is cool.

  • BuffaloIronTailBuffaloIronTail Posts: 7,549 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 7, 2018 9:25AM

    Note the highly detailed top feather, hair near the braid, and the braid itself. Edited to add: Look at that large inside feather! I think that the Mint would have had a way more difficult time abraiding that one off!

    Pete

    "I tell them there's no problems.....only solutions" - John Lennon
  • ParadisefoundParadisefound Posts: 8,588 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Is made of resin? It's an interesting piece and I would remove those metal clips off to avoid any possible staining ;)

  • koynekwestkoynekwest Posts: 10,048 ✭✭✭✭✭

    What a nice item, Pete! That feather arrangement is radically different than the adopted style. And a "round top 3" as well.

  • BuffaloIronTailBuffaloIronTail Posts: 7,549 ✭✭✭✭✭

    This is where it is:

    Plaster maquette created for the design of the “Indian Head” or Buffalo” nickel coin, created by James Earle Fraser (1876-1953) and on display at the Shaffer Art Building, Syracuse University. To produce a coin, a sculptor would create two separate medallions, and convert them to a maquette or model about the size of a tea saucer. The craftsman at the mint would use the maquette to scale down both medallions to produce a die, which will stamp the image onto the coin. This coin, originally issued by the U.S. Mint in 1913 (and produced through 1938), harkens back to James Fraser’s roots on the North American prairie. James Fraser grew up in the Dakota Territory during the late nineteenth century, where he developed an appreciation for his Native American neighbors. This provided the inspiration to use an image of a Native American and a bison in what he planned as a truly American coin. He began his study of art at the Chicago Institute of Art at the young age of 15.

    Pete

    "I tell them there's no problems.....only solutions" - John Lennon
  • BuffaloIronTailBuffaloIronTail Posts: 7,549 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @koynekwest said:
    What a nice item, Pete! That feather arrangement is radically different than the adopted style. And a "round top 3" as well.

    I just posted the reverse, Ron. It too is unbelievable.

    Pete

    "I tell them there's no problems.....only solutions" - John Lennon
  • aclocoacloco Posts: 952 ✭✭✭

    WOW!!!

    Successful BST transactions with: jp84, WaterSport, Stupid, tychojoe, Swampboy, dragon, Jkramer, savoyspecial, ajaan, tyedye, ProofCollection, Broadstruck x2, TwinTurbo, lordmarcovan, devious, bumanchu, AUandAG, Collectorcoins (2x), staircoins, messydesk, illini420, nolawyer (10x & counting), peaceman, bruggs, agentjim007, ElmerFusterpuck, WinLoseWin, RR, WaterSports, KeyLargRareCoins, LindeDad, Flatwoods, cucamongacoin, grote15, UtahCoin, NewParadigm, smokincoin, sawyerjosh x3
  • RogerBRogerB Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Same comment as for the reverse.

  • crazyhounddogcrazyhounddog Posts: 14,071 ✭✭✭✭✭

    That’s too cool for words ;)

    The bitterness of "Poor Quality" is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.
  • RogerBRogerB Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Coin models were usually about 5 to 5-1/2 inches in diameter.

    PS: Supporting a plaster model with metal clips is ---- ridiculous.

  • koynekwestkoynekwest Posts: 10,048 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Love it!

  • 1940coupe1940coupe Posts: 661 ✭✭✭✭
    edited October 7, 2018 6:17PM

    would love to own it ! would like Dan Carr to have this

  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,401 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @BuffaloIronTail said:
    This is where it is:

    Plaster maquette created for the design of the “Indian Head” or Buffalo” nickel coin, created by James Earle Fraser (1876-1953) and on display at the Shaffer Art Building, Syracuse University. To produce a coin, a sculptor would create two separate medallions, and convert them to a maquette or model about the size of a tea saucer. The craftsman at the mint would use the maquette to scale down both medallions to produce a die, which will stamp the image onto the coin. This coin, originally issued by the U.S. Mint in 1913 (and produced through 1938), harkens back to James Fraser’s roots on the North American prairie. James Fraser grew up in the Dakota Territory during the late nineteenth century, where he developed an appreciation for his Native American neighbors. This provided the inspiration to use an image of a Native American and a bison in what he planned as a truly American coin. He began his study of art at the Chicago Institute of Art at the young age of 15.

    Pete

    Awesome find! It would be great to see in person. Did you see it there?

    Private Mint News | 2010 Lincoln Reverse Finalists
  • BuffaloIronTailBuffaloIronTail Posts: 7,549 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Zoins said:

    @BuffaloIronTail said:
    This is where it is:

    Plaster maquette created for the design of the “Indian Head” or Buffalo” nickel coin, created by James Earle Fraser (1876-1953) and on display at the Shaffer Art Building, Syracuse University. To produce a coin, a sculptor would create two separate medallions, and convert them to a maquette or model about the size of a tea saucer. The craftsman at the mint would use the maquette to scale down both medallions to produce a die, which will stamp the image onto the coin. This coin, originally issued by the U.S. Mint in 1913 (and produced through 1938), harkens back to James Fraser’s roots on the North American prairie. James Fraser grew up in the Dakota Territory during the late nineteenth century, where he developed an appreciation for his Native American neighbors. This provided the inspiration to use an image of a Native American and a bison in what he planned as a truly American coin. He began his study of art at the Chicago Institute of Art at the young age of 15.

    Pete

    Awesome find! It would be great to see in person. Did you see it there?

    No. I found it online and had to share it.

    Pete

    "I tell them there's no problems.....only solutions" - John Lennon
  • BUFFNIXXBUFFNIXX Posts: 2,727 ✭✭✭✭✭

    wonder what this would bring in a big time auction?

    Collector of Buffalo Nickels and other 20th century United States Coinage
    a.k.a "The BUFFINATOR"
  • yosclimberyosclimber Posts: 5,056 ✭✭✭✭✭



    and more
    from
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/upstatenewyorksculpture/

  • Namvet69Namvet69 Posts: 9,270 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Now that is a piece of numismatic history. Thanks for finding them. Peace Roy

    BST: endeavor1967, synchr, kliao, Outhaul, Donttellthewife, U1Chicago, ajaan, mCarney1173, SurfinHi, MWallace, Sandman70gt, mustanggt, Pittstate03, Lazybones, Walkerguy21D, coinandcurrency242 , thebigeng, Collectorcoins, JimTyler, USMarine6, Elkevvo, Coll3ctor, Yorkshireman, CUKevin, ranshdow, CoinHunter4, bennybravo, Centsearcher, braddick, Windycity, ZoidMeister, mirabela, JJM, RichURich, Bullsitter, jmski52, LukeMarshall, coinsarefun, MichaelDixon, NickPatton, ProfLiz, Twobitcollector,Jesbroken oih82w8, DCW

  • OnastoneOnastone Posts: 4,154 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @BuffaloIronTail said:

    Plaster maquette created for the design of the “Indian Head” or Buffalo” nickel coin

    Excellent thread! Great info! So refreshing to see a coin developed without the use of a computer!!! Thanks Pete

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Wow... it would be so great to have those as wall displays... well, for we coin people anyway....The detail on the Indian is fantastic. Cheers, RickO

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