The Gold Buffalo
The Silver Buffalo
The American Buffalo
The Gold Buffalo:
The Gold Buffalo was first introduced in 2006 by the United States Mint as a part of the Presidential $1 Coin Program and the American Buffalo Gold Bullion Coin Program. It was the first 24-karat gold coin ever minted by the U.S. Mint for the public.
The design of the Gold Buffalo coin is based on the iconic Buffalo Nickel, which was minted from 1913 to 1938. The obverse features a Native American chief, believed to be a composite of several Native American chiefs, and the reverse depicts an American buffalo (bison), modeled after the famous buffalo named Black Diamond from the New York Central Park Zoo.
The Gold Buffalo is composed of .9999 fine gold, making it one of the purest gold coins minted by the United States. It has a face value of $50.
The Gold Buffalo is typically minted at the West Point Mint in New York. However, some coins may bear the mint mark “W” for West Point, while others may not have a mint mark.
The Gold Buffalo is primarily issued in 1 oz weight, but the United States Mint has also produced fractional sizes, including 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz, to accommodate different budgets and preferences.
Despite its intrinsic value as a bullion coin, the Gold Buffalo is also recognized as legal tender in the United States, with a face value of $50. However, its true value is based on the current market price of gold.
Overall, the Gold Buffalo holds a special place in American numismatic history as a tribute to the classic design of the Buffalo Nickel and as a symbol of American heritage and tradition.
The Silver Buffalo:
The design of the Silver Buffalo is inspired by the iconic Buffalo Nickel, which was minted by the United States Mint from 1913 to 1938. The Buffalo Nickel featured a Native American chief on the obverse and an American buffalo (bison) on the reverse.
Unlike official government-issued coins, the Silver Buffalo is typically produced by private mints rather than government mints. These private mints often produce silver rounds or bars with designs similar to the Buffalo Nickel, but they are not legal tender and do not carry a face value.
Silver Buffaloes are typically composed of .999 fine silver, making them highly pure and valuable for investors and collectors alike.
There are various versions of the Silver Buffalo available, ranging from 1 oz silver rounds to larger sizes such as 5 oz or even 10 oz silver bars. Some may feature enhanced finishes or special editions, while others may stick closely to the original design of the Buffalo Nickel.
Silver Buffaloes are popular among collectors for their aesthetic appeal, historical significance, and intrinsic value as silver bullion. Certain editions or variations may command higher premiums among collectors.