The US 1924 Nickel, a Buffalo nickel designed by James Earle Fraser, was minted during the Roaring Twenties, a period of economic expansion and industrial growth. However, the nation was still recovering from the 1920–1921 recession, which impacted employment and production. The US 1924 Nickel, made of 75% copper and 25% nickel, reflected the shift from precious metals to durable alternatives in everyday transactions. Politically, President Calvin Coolidge promoted pro-business policies, fostering economic confidence, which increased demand for coins like the US 1924 Nickel in commerce.
Featuring a Native American on the obverse and a bison on the reverse, the US 1924 Nickel symbolized Americas frontier spirit. However, ongoing struggles for Indigenous rights contrasted with this imagery. That year, the Dawes Plan sought to stabilize Germany’s economy post-World War I, indirectly benefiting U.S. trade and reinforcing the role of coins like the US 1924 Nickel in a thriving consumer market. Though prosperity grew, wealth inequality persisted, foreshadowing the Great Depression, when even the US 1924 Nickel would become scarce in circulation.