American Buffalo Gold Bullion Coins

The American Buffalo’s design pays homage to James Earle Fraser's Buffalo (Indian Head) nickel. The Buffalo nickel was the American five-cent piece from 1913 until 1938, with the exception of a few years during which no nickels were minted. The obverse depicts the profile of a Native American while the reverse shows a bison atop a mound of dirt. Unlike the Buffalo nickel, however, the legend under the gold bison’s feet reads “$50 1 OZ. .9999 FINE” instead of “FIVE CENTS.”

Like all bullion coins, the American Buffalo was minted at the West Point, New York, mint, though only the proof versions of the coin received the ‘W’ mintmark.

After printing only 1 oz coins in 2006 and 2007, the U.S. Mint decided to produce fractional American Buffaloes as well. These coins came in 1/10 oz, ¼ oz, and ½ oz weights, had face values of $5, $10, and $25 respectively, and were limited to runs of no more than 300,000.

In September of 2008, the U.S. Mint suspended production of all 24-karat coins due to that year’s economic crisis. Investors were looking for secure investments such as gold, and the Mint was concerned it could not satisfy all of the demand. In 2009, the Mint began striking American Buffaloes again, and in 2010, a proof version of the 1 oz coin could be purchased through the Mint for $1,460.

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