Mule Club Issue #1 – Mercury Dime / Buffalo Nickel 2 oz Silver

Two familiar American coin designs meet in an unexpected pairing. Intaglio Mint’s first Mule Club issue joins the Winged Liberty portrait of the Mercury dime with the American bison of the Buffalo nickel. Struck in two troy ounces of .999 fine silver, this 39mm medal brings the work of two celebrated coin designers together in an intentionally unusual combination.

What Is a Mule?

In numismatics, a mule combines obverse and reverse designs not normally intended for the same piece. Such combinations can result from a minting error or be made deliberately. This issue uses the concept as a creative tribute: its Mercury and Buffalo designs come from different denominations and were never the normal two sides of a United States circulating coin.

Two Designs from a New Era

Adolph A. Weinman’s Winged Liberty dime entered circulation in 1916 and remained in production through 1945. Its portrait represents Liberty, with wings on her cap symbolizing freedom of thought. The popular “Mercury” nickname arose from the portrait’s resemblance to the Roman god, rather than Weinman’s intended subject.

James Earle Fraser’s Buffalo nickel preceded it by three years, debuting in 1913 and continuing through 1938. Its American bison provided a distinctive counterpart to the Native American portrait on the original nickel. The Mule Club pairing selects the bison for its reverse, bringing Fraser’s powerful animal study into conversation with Weinman’s graceful allegorical portrait.

Obverse Design

Liberty faces left in a winged cap beneath the inscription “LIBERTY.” “IN GOD WE TRUST” and the date 1916 accompany the portrait. An ultra-high-relief, domed-die treatment gives the familiar dime-inspired image added sculptural depth.

Reverse Design

An American bison stands beneath “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” “TWO TROY OUNCES” replaces the circulating nickel’s denomination, with the mint mark and hallmark below. The modern weight inscription clearly identifies this piece as a silver tribute medal.

LIMITED MINTAGE OF ONLY 100 PIECES

Includes:

• Laser engraved Numbering (1/100 – 100/100).
• Air-Tite Capsule
• Intaglio Mint Display Box
• Certificate of Authenticity

Specifications

• Weight: 2.00 troy ounces
• Thickness: Approximately 6mm
• Purity: .999 fine silver
• Edge: Reeded
• Diameter: 39mm
• Finish: Brilliant Uncirculated

Explore more designs in our silver collection.