1913 Type 1 Buffalo Nickel (5c)

Type 1 Buffalo Nickels marked the debut of James Earle Fraser's iconic design. Struck for only part of 1913 before transitioning to the Type 2, this coin features the bison standing on a raised mound, a detail later flattened due to minting concerns.

Matte Proof examples of 1913 Type 1s - a one year type - are particularly fun. From a casual glance they look similar to business strike coins, except that because they were designed specifically for collectors, their strike, surfaces, and overall quality truly are "proofs" -- perfect examples of the type.

And this stunning PR68 example is truly (nearly) perfect. Blazing luster, absolutely hammer-struck, and with pristine surfaces, this coin - selected as the plate coin for PCGSs CoinFacts page on the type - is an absolute monster. Top population for the date, it shares its PR68 grade with only a handful of other examples.

With a price guide value of $100,000 and a historical auction appearance with a realized price of $90,000, dare we say we've priced this coin....competitively? A remarkable piece for any serious collection.