I asked the father again about the coin, and it appears that it was a buffalo nickel, not an indian head. The son did find it in general change at some gas station or something. I still don't know exactly what the year and mint was, but either 46 or 47, and I think a d mint. My memory and second tier gossip doesn't help.
Btw, In my defense, the Buffalo nickels were called Indian Heads, so my friend wasn't far off.
It is still a mystery though. My research after russel's reply, finds that the indian head 5c indian head piece wasn't made past '38. I suppose the kid may have found a 1937D 3 leg error. That's about the only valuable one close to the date. I'll reverify again next time I visit to be sure just what it was.
martin