Information Item for Monday, the 6th
LECalder
When James Fraser modeled the new nickel design, he was well aware of the
pseudo realism that stigmatized the Indian heads that had been used on coins
in the past. He wanted his design to honor all Native American tribes by
representing an idealized American Indian and a buffalo. Fraser achieved his
goal and produced one of the most beautiful and appropriate American coin
designs.
The handsome Indian head on the obverse is not a portrait of a single person.
Fraser made a composite drawing of three Native Americans who sat for him. The
artist was never certain exactly which portraits he used in the final
rendition, but one of Fraser’s models claimed the honor of being the Indian
on the nickel. Until the end of his life, Chief John Big Tree made public
appearances based on his claim. Big Tree may not have been represented on the
nickel, but his profile was strikingly familiar and convinced most people who
saw him.. he not only lived happily with the myth, but he also brought an air
of excitement and pleasure to everyone who met him and believed the story.
The buffalo shown on the reverse of Fraser’s nickel is no mystery. He used
as his model a massive animal in the new York Central Park Zoo. The largest
bison then in captivity was named Black Diamond and had been born at the zoo in
1893. He weighed nearly a ton, but despite his size, Black Diamond was docile
and made a perfect model.
Credit for the above goes to the book "Collectible American Coins" by K. E.
Bessett, available from…………leca...@aol.com for $17.00 delivered.
Larry Calder
Nine out of Ten Farm Animals would prefer that you eat more CHIKIN
(lo lacachat 5 orogot a'soo'im m'etz)