水牛鎳的永恆魅力：向本土遺產和藝術才華的迷人致敬

水牛鎳幣，正式名稱為印第安人頭鎳幣，是1913 年至1938 年間流通的珍貴硬幣。面容，一面是美洲野牛。儘管它深受公眾歡迎，但複製其複雜設計和過度磨損的挑戰導致其停產，取而代之的是傑斐遜鎳幣。然而，水牛鎳幣仍然是備受追捧的收藏品，其歷史意義和迷人的設計使其成為過去的寶貴文物。

Rediscovering the Enchanting Allure of the Buffalo Nickel: A Timeless Tribute to Native American Heritage and Artistic Ingenuity

重新發現水牛鎳的迷人魅力：向美國原住民傳統和藝術創造力的永恆致敬

In the realm of numismatics, there are coins that merely serve their monetary purpose and fade into obscurity. However, there are also those that transcend their utilitarian role and become icons of history, culture, and artistic brilliance. Among the latter stands the Buffalo nickel, a testament to the enduring legacy of Native American culture and the profound impact of its imagery on the American psyche.

在錢幣學領域，有些硬幣僅僅滿足其貨幣目的，然後逐漸消失。然而，也有一些超越了其功利角色，成為歷史、文化和藝術才華的象徵。其中包括布法羅鎳幣，它證明了美洲原住民文化的持久遺產及其意象對美國人心理的深遠影響。

Officially known as the Indian Head Nickel, the Buffalo nickel graced the pockets of Americans from 1913 to 1938, embodying a proud and majestic tribute to the spirit of the Native American people. Its design, the brainchild of renowned sculptor James Fraser, was a departure from the conventional coin imagery of the time. Fraser drew inspiration from the rich traditions of Native American art, creating a captivating design that showcased the strength, dignity, and connection to nature that characterized these proud peoples.

水牛鎳幣的正式名稱為印第安人頭鎳幣，從 1913 年到 1938 年，它一直為美國人的口袋增光添彩，體現了對美洲原住民精神的驕傲而莊嚴的敬意。它的設計是著名雕塑家詹姆斯·弗雷澤的創意，與當時傳統的硬幣圖像不同。弗雷澤從美洲原住民藝術的豐富傳統中汲取靈感，創造出迷人的設計，展示了這些自豪的民族所特有的力量、尊嚴和與自然的聯繫。

On one side of the coin, a classic Native American visage gazes intently outward, evoking a sense of wisdom and resilience that has stood the test of time. On the reverse, a side view of a hefty American bison, a symbol of the untamed spirit of the American West, stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

在硬幣的一面，典型的美洲原住民面容全神貫注地向外凝視，喚起一種經受住時間考驗的智慧和堅韌感。背面是一頭巨大的美洲野牛的側視圖，象徵著美國西部狂野的精神，是人類與自然和諧共處的證明。

The Buffalo nickel's introduction in 1913 was a calculated move by the U.S. Mint to enhance the aesthetic appeal of American coinage, following the successful launch of the Lincoln copper penny in 1909. Minted in Denver, Philadelphia, and San Francisco, the Buffalo nickel consisted of 75% copper and 25% nickel, a durable composition that has ensured its longevity.

繼 1909 年成功推出林肯銅便士後，美國造幣廠於 1913 年推出水牛鎳幣，旨在增強美國鑄幣的美感。鎳的耐用成分確保了其使用壽命。

Despite its popularity with the American public, the Buffalo nickel faced its detractors within the U.S. Mint. The coin's soft lines and intricate details proved challenging to reproduce consistently, resulting in excessive wear and the frequent loss of the date at the lower left of the coin's front.

儘管水牛鎳幣深受美國大眾的歡迎，但美國鑄幣廠內部卻面臨批評者。事實證明，硬幣的柔和線條和複雜的細節很難一致地複製，導致硬幣正面左下角的過度磨損和日期頻繁丟失。

After a mandatory 25-year run, the Buffalo nickel was discontinued in 1938, making way for the Jefferson nickel, which remains in circulation today. However, despite the passage of time, the Buffalo nickel continues to elicit a sense of nostalgia and fascination among collectors and enthusiasts alike.

經過 25 年的強制運行後，布法羅鎳幣於 1938 年停產，取而代之的是至今仍在流通的傑斐遜鎳幣。然而，儘管時間流逝，水牛鎳幣仍繼續引起收藏家和愛好者的懷舊感和迷戀。

The scarcity of Buffalo nickels in circulation today is a testament to their enduring value. Collectors eagerly seek out these pieces of history, with an average condition Buffalo nickel fetching approximately $0.50. For exceptional examples, such as the rare 1921-S in mint condition, collectors are willing to pay upwards of $1,500.

如今流通中的水牛鎳幣的稀缺性證明了其持久的價值。收藏家們熱切地尋找這些歷史片段，平均狀況的水牛鎳幣售價約為 0.50 美元。對於特殊的例子，例如罕見的完好無損的 1921-S，收藏家願意支付 1,500 美元以上。

The Buffalo nickel's enduring appeal transcends its monetary value. It serves as a tangible reminder of the rich tapestry of Native American culture and the artistry that has immortalized it. Its intricate design, imbued with symbolism and indigenous wisdom, continues to captivate and inspire generations.

水牛鎳幣的持久吸引力超越了其金錢價值。它切實地提醒人們美國原住民文化的豐富性和使其永垂不朽的藝術性。其複雜的設計充滿象徵意義和本土智慧，繼續吸引和啟發幾代人。

For those longing to reconnect with the era of the Buffalo nickel, antique galleries offer a chance to hold a piece of history in your hands. The tactile experience of examining its intricate details and feeling its weight in the palm can transport you back to a time when these coins played a significant role in the everyday lives of Americans.

對於那些渴望重新回到布法羅鎳幣時代的人來說，古董畫廊提供了一個將歷史掌握在手中的機會。檢查其複雜的細節並感受其在手掌中的重量的觸覺體驗可以將您帶回到這些硬幣在美國人的日常生活中發揮重要作用的時代。

Mike Rivkin, a renowned antiques connoisseur and author, eloquently captures the essence of the Buffalo nickel: "There's just something special about them." Indeed, the Buffalo nickel is more than just a coin; it is a symbol of cultural heritage, a tribute to artistic excellence, and a reminder of the enduring spirit of the Native American people.

著名古董鑑賞家兼作家邁克·里夫金 (Mike Rivkin) 雄辯地捕捉到了水牛鎳幣的精髓：“它們有一些特別之處。”事實上，水牛鎳幣不僅僅是一枚硬幣；它更是一枚硬幣。它是文化遺產的象徵，是對卓越藝術的致敬，也是對美洲原住民不朽精神的提醒。

As you delve into the world of antique coins, take a moment to appreciate the artistry and history embodied in the Buffalo nickel. It is an artifact that transcends its monetary value, offering a glimpse into the past and a connection to the vibrant culture that shaped our nation.

當您深入探索古董硬幣的世界時，請花點時間欣賞水牛鎳幣所體現的藝術性和歷史。它是一件超越其貨幣價值的文物，讓我們得以一睹過去的風采，並與塑造我們國家的充滿活力的文化建立聯繫。