ContentsAmerican Buffalo Gold Coin |
The American Buffalo Gold Coins illustrate images from the American western frontier. The artwork originally appeared on the 1913 nickel, or 5 cent piece, until 1938.
Then, in 2006, production began for an annual $50 Buffalo coin made of 24-karat gold for investors and collectors.
Based on demand and availability of 24-karat gold blanks, the coins can be produced in three versions. They are Bullion, Proof, and Uncirculated. The coins have been made in different sizes, starting with one ounce and go down into fractional sizes. In 2009, the U.S. Mint decided to make only the one ounce bullion and one ounce proof versions.
American Buffalo Coin Images
The American Buffalo Gold Coin images can be enlarged with a click.
 2008 American Buffalo Proof Obverse |
 2008 American Buffalo Proof Reverse |
 2008 American Buffalo Bullion Obverse |
 2008 American Buffalo Bullion Reverse |
Designers & Sculptors
Obverse design: Designed and engraved by James Earle Fraser, the obverse features a portrait of a Native American Indian. Supposedly, three indians modeled for Fraser's coin design. In an interview, Fraser named Chief Iron Tail of the Lakota Sioux and Chief Two Moons of the Cheyenne, but he did not recall the name of the third model.
Reverse design: The reverse features an American Buffalo, also known as a bison, on a grassy mound. It too was designed and engraved by James Earle Fraser. The animal may have been Black Diamond, a bison from the New York Zoological Gardens.
Online Auctions
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US $5.70
Product Information
| Release Date: | 2006 |
| Intro Price: | $800 - Proof (2006) |
| Mintage Limits: | varies by years |
| Sales: | varies by years |
| Authorizing Law: | Public Law 109-145; $1 Presidential Coin Act of 2005 |
American Buffalo Coin Specifications
| U.S. Mints: | West Point - "W" mint mark |
| Date: | 2006 to present |
| Denomination: | $50 |
| Composition: | 0.9999 fine gold |
| Standard Weight: | 31.108 g |
| Standard Diameter: | 32.7 mm (1.287 inches) |
| Type of Edge: | Reeded |