2009 American Buffalo Gold Bullion Coin
2009 American Buffalo Gold Bullion Coin (2008 Bullion Coin Shown) - click on image to enlarge
Struck for the first time in June 2006, the American Buffalo Gold 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 Frasier 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.
Frasier 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. It was initially only struck in a one ounce size, but the Mint added 1/10 ounce, 1/4 ounce and 1/2 ounce sizes in 2008.
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 requires the Mint to produce enough bullion Eagles to meet demand, not leaving enough gold blanks for the Buffalos. This has changed now, however, and the Mint plans on making the 1 ounce Buffalos available on the 15th of October. No fractional sizes will be struck this year.
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
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Featured American Buffalo Auctions
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 4 1 OZ AMERICAN BUFFALO $50 GOLD BULLION COIN  US $5,250.00
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 2 2009 1 OZ AMERICAN BUFFALO $50 GOLD BULLION COIN US $2,590.00
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 1 oz American Buffalo $50 gold bullion coin US $1,100.00
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American Buffalo Coin Resources
- Mint information page
- Bullion Buffalo News - CoinNews.net
