Hornaday's Bull - Buffalo Nickel Buffalo
Fort Benton, Montana
Died 1886
This buffalo, named "The Big Bull," was killed and stuffed by William T. Hornaday, "America's first taxidermist."
In 1887 the buffalo was put on display at the Smithsonian Institution. The Big Bull became an instant hit with the Treasury Department, who used him as a model for greenbacks, postage stamps, and the Buffalo Nickel.
After 70 years (and, apparently, an influx of fresher buffalo), he was shipped to the University of Montana. In 1970 the people of Fort Benton raised $400,000 to have the stuffed buffalo restored and returned to his home town.
Note: There is an ongoing debate about exactly which bison posed for the nickel. According to visitor Gary Snyder: "this bison was not the bison used as a model for the 'Buffalo' nickel introduced in 1913. The official accounts state that the artist, James Fraser, used a living bison named Black Diamond in a local zoo, rather than a stuffed bull at the Smithsonian, although the model for the 1901 $10 note is disputed." Hornaday's Bull folks nevertheless insist that their bison is the true bison.