
With a release date of March 14, 2011, the 2011 American Buffalo Gold Bullion coin marks the sixth year in which the coin has been available from the United States Mint. Struck for the first time in June 2006, the Buffalo Bullion coin would blaze a new trail while still retaining a historical link to the American coinage that came before it.
When the coins were created, they marked the first time the US Mint had ever created .9999 fine 24-karat gold coins in the history of the country. But in doing so, the Mint did not forget the glory days of circulating coins in the United States. This is because the new bullion coin used the same basic design concept that had been featured on a coin introduced over 90 years ago.
James Earle Fraser created the design which had a portrait of a Native American on the obverse and an image of an American Buffalo (also known as a bison) on its reverse. It was struck on circulating nickels from 1913 until 1938. Collectors commonly refer to this coin as the "Indian Head Nickel" or the "Buffalo Nickel." Many consider it one of the most beautiful coins every produced by the US Mint.
Fraser used three different Indian Chiefs as models in creating his profile, two of them are Chief Iron Tail of the Lakota Sioux and Chief Two Moons of the Cheyenne. The third person used has never been positively identified, but many have claimed to have been that individual. The buffalo design is said to be based on "Black Diamond" who supposedly was kept in captivity at the New York City Zoo.
The Buffalo bullion coins are not available directly from the Mint, but must be purchased through a series of authorized suppliers, or on the secondary market.
Buffalo coins were not struck in the first part of 2009. The Mint had suspended sales citing "unprecedented demand" for the bullion gold Eagles. Law required the Mint to produce enough bullion Eagles to meet demand, not leaving enough gold blanks for the Buffalos. That changed, however, and the Mint was able to build up enough blank inventory to release the 1 ounce Buffalos on the 15th of October. No fractional sizes were struck.
Demand was so intense for the 2009 Gold Buffalos that an amazing 71,500 were sold in the first five days. Then, on December 4, 2009, the Mint stopped sales of the coins after having reached the 200,000 they had in inventory. In those short few weeks in which the coins were available, the Mint actually sold more than it had in either of the previous two years.
American Buffalo Bullion Coin Sales History: 2006 – 2010
***totals include number of strikes sold during the year, not necessarily the year-dated mintage as the US Mint may sell strikes minted one year in another.
- 2006 - 323,000
- 2007 - 167,500
- 2008 - 172,000
- 2009 - 200,000
- 2010 - 209,000
Obverse Design
James Earle Fraser's profile of a Native American Indian is seen on the obverse of the Gold Buffalo Bullion coin. The inscription "Liberty" is seen in front of the Indian's forehead, with the year below his neck.
Reverse Design
An image of an American buffalo (also called a bison) is portrayed on the reverse . Also seen are the inscriptions "United States of America," "E Pluribus Unum," "In God We Trust," "$50" and "1 Oz. .9999 Fine Gold."
American Buffalo Coin Specifications
Mint: United States Mint Mintmark: None Finish/Condition: Circulated Metal Content: .9999 fine gold Weight: 1.0001 troy ounce (31.108 grams) Diameter: 32.70 mm Edge: Reeded Issue Price: based on price of gold Mintage Limit: based on demand/subject to gold blank availability Face Value: $50 Obverse Engraver:James Earle Fraser Reverse Engraver: James Earle Fraser |
Featured American Buffalo Auctions
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![]() 2011 W Gold American Buffalo 50 NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo $1,600.00 Time Remaining: 1d 17h 30m |
![]() 2011 50 MOY AMERICAN GOLD BUFFALO PR70 24 KARAT POP 20 PCGS LIST 7900 $5,995.00 Time Remaining: 1d 18h 37m Buy It Now for only: $5,995.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() 2011 W 1 oz Gold Buffalo Proof 50 PCGS PR70 DCAM Flawless Proof 70 Deep Cameo $2,200.00 Time Remaining: 1d 19h 15m Buy It Now for only: $2,200.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() 2011 50 Buffalo NGC MS70 Early Releases American Gold Bullion 1oz 24 KT coin $1,557.97 Time Remaining: 1d 23h 28m Buy It Now for only: $1,557.97 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() 2011 W PCGS PR70 FIRST STRIKE DEEP Cameo Proof 50 Gold BUFFALO PF70 $5,195.00 Time Remaining: 2d 6h 58m Buy It Now for only: $5,195.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() 2011 W 1 oz Gold 50 Buffalo NGC PF 70 Ultra Cameo $1,990.00 Time Remaining: 2d 10h 4m Buy It Now for only: $1,990.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() 2011 W 1 oz Gold Buffalo Proof 50 NGC PF69 UC Buffalo Label SKU36953 $1,527.65 Time Remaining: 2d 23h 50m Buy It Now for only: $1,527.65 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() 2011 50 GOLD BUFFALO PCGS MS69 1 Troy Oz GOLD COIN Blue Label9999 FINE GOLD $1,495.00 Time Remaining: 4d 19h 32m Buy It Now for only: $1,495.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() 2011 Topps Pro Debut Gold 14 Kirk Nieuwenhuis Buffalo Bisons Baseball Card $18.62 Time Remaining: 4d 20h 38m Buy It Now for only: $18.62 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() 2011 W 50 Buffalo NGC PF70UCAM Early Releases Gold Label American bullion coin $1,725.14 Time Remaining: 7d 6m Buy It Now for only: $1,725.14 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() 2011 W Buffalo G50 9999 Fine Gold Early Release PF 70 Ultra Cameo $2,050.00 Time Remaining: 7d 18h 32m Buy It Now for only: $2,050.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() 2011 BUFFALO 9999 FINE EARLY RELEASES 50 Gold Coin Slabbed by NGC $1,800.00 Time Remaining: 10d 55m Buy It Now for only: $1,800.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
American Buffalo Coin Resources
- Mint information page
- 2011 Buffalo Debuts - CoinNews.net