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What’s The “F” Mark on Buffalo Nickels Mean?
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Posts: 310 mod
Have you noticed the little “F” under the date on Buffalo Nickels and wondered what that is?
Let’s clear up one common misconception about the F “mint mark” right now: it is not a mint mark at all. It’s the surname initial of James Earle Fraser, the artist who designed the Buffalo Nickel. The incused “F” initial appears on all Buffalo Nickels and is quite prominent, often most especially on worn specimens that have acquired some surface darkening through the accumulation of perspiration, dirt, debris, and other environmental influence. On dateless Buffalo Nickels, the “F” may be the only visible alphanumeric character on the lower-left region of the obverse.
Full article: https://www.pcgs.com/news/what-does-the-f-mark-on-buffalo-nickels-mean
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It's the designers initial. Fraser, as in James Earl Fraser.
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James Earle Fraser but yes...
Just a taste: https://americanart.si.edu/artist/james-earle-fraser-1647
Together with his wife, Laura Gardin Fraser they designed several coins. Probably best known for splitting the design of the Oregon Trail Commemorative Half Dollar
https://www.usmint.gov/coins/coin-medal-programs/commemorative-coins/oregon-trail-memorial-half
https://blog.ha.com/2019/03/the-numismatic-design-duo-james-earle-and-laura-gardin-fraser/
https://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v19n37a17.html
ANA 50 year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
Thanks for that bit of info. I’ll take the question deeper and ask “what” if any, questions, were raised by the general public in 1913, trying to understand what the “F” meant. They raised Cain with V.D.B. only four years prior.
Did the general public really "raise cain" in 1909 or was it just some influential politician or bureaucrat that objected to the V.D.B. on the reverse of the Lincoln cent? This is an example of one of those long accepted stories that needs to be more closely examined.
IF there were a public outcry in 1909, It would equate to same genre of people who frequent social media today and complain, critique and disparage any and all minor points, of any issue. A bunch of self important, keyboard commando's who rant their perceptions as if anyone really cares. And yet, they get reactions, as we have seen. Cheers, RickO
Fraser
Some few of them lack that initial due to lapping of the dies. The 1916 is the most well known of these but it exists for quite a few different dates.
Frank
Five (Cents)
Fake
There are a few 1913 pattern pieces that don’t have the “F”.
Seems logical
Any coin design that lets the date wear completely off is a poor design.