What's The "F" Mark On Buffalo Nickels Mean?

PCGS - Have you noticed the little "F" under the date on Buffalo nickels and wondered what that is? A lot of people think it's an F mint mark on the Buffalo nickel, particularly because it's a fairly large letter that stands by itself right under the date on the obverse - much like mint marks on other coins. So, what does that "F" mean and why is it on found on all Buffalo nickels?



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.

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