Black Diamond (buffalo) facts for kids
Black Diamond was a famous male North American bison. He lived at the Central Park Menagerie, which is now known as the Central Park Zoo in New York City. Many people believe he was the real-life model for the buffalo nickel. This special coin was introduced in the United States in 1913. A talented American sculptor named James Earle Fraser designed the coin in 1911.
Contents
Who Was Black Diamond?
Black Diamond was born in 1893. His parents, a bull and a cow, were given to the zoo by the famous Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. He grew to be a very large animal, weighing about 1,550 pounds (around 700 kilograms). Because of his impressive size, Black Diamond quickly became a favorite attraction at the zoo. Many visitors loved to see him.
Black Diamond's Later Life
As Black Diamond grew older, he became sick and had trouble moving. In 1915, when he was 22 years old, the zoo decided to sell him. They tried to auction him off, but no one wanted to buy him at the auction.
Later, a company called A. Silz, Inc., which sold game and poultry, bought him for $300. Black Diamond was slaughtered on November 17, 1915. His meat was sold, and his head was preserved by a taxidermist named Fred Santer. His hide was even turned into a large, fashionable rug for cars!
The Buffalo Nickel Mystery
Many stories say that Black Diamond was the model for the buffalo nickel. This coin is also known as the Indian Head nickel. It features a Native American chief on one side and a bison on the other.
Was Black Diamond the Model?
In 1952, a museum expert named George G. Goodwin wrote about Black Diamond. He said Black Diamond was "an excellent object for the artistic brush." He also mentioned that the bison was "quite docile," meaning calm and easy to work with. This made him a perfect model for an artist.
However, the sculptor, James Fraser, never actually said that Black Diamond was his model. The U.S. Bureau of the Mint, which makes coins, isn't sure either. They think Fraser probably knew what bison looked like very well already. So, he might not have needed a specific animal to pose for him.
Other Famous Appearances
Besides the buffalo nickel, Black Diamond is also believed to have been a model for another important item. He is thought to be the bison shown on the front of the $10 U.S. Banknote from 1901. This shows how famous and recognizable Black Diamond was!
