Buffalo Gold

In 2006 - for the first time in U.S. History - the U.S. Mint created a one-ounce bullion coin minted in 99.99% (pure 24-karat) fine gold to compete with the world bullion market. The Indian Head and Buffalo design crafted for the nickel by James Earle Fraser in 1913 was chosen as the design for this new coin in part because the nickel series (1913-1938) was extremely popular with collectors. The very popular silver commemorative issues from 2001 bearing a similar modified version of Fraser's nickel design further strengthened the case for remastering the design once again for this new $50 denomiation gold coin.

Due to the success of the Buffalo Gold coin, the U.S. Mint offered the 99.99% fine gold coins in four different denominations as a four-coin set and as singles in 2008. Both proof and mint state coins were offered. They proved to be highly successful sellers as many collectors who liked the design but couldn't afford the one-ounce gold coins finally had smaller, less expensive versions from which they could choose. They were offered in 1/10, 1/4, 1/2 and 1 ounce sizes. Unfortunately because of a planchet shortage and an inability to keep up with demand in other bullion products, the Mint discontinued the "fractional" Buffalo Gold offerings after 2008 making the three smaller sizes one-year types.

Buffalo gold coins are a popular mainstay with collectors and investors alike. They are a beautiful reminder of earlier "artful" United States coinage, they have low mintage figures, and contain 24 karat pure gold.

Specifications for the Buffalo Gold coin series are as follows:

	Diameter	Thickness	Weight
$5 (1/10 oz.) Buffalo Gold Coin (2008 only)	16.5mm (0.650 in.)	1.19mm (0.047 in.)	0.10 Troy oz. (3.11 g, 0.109 oz.)
$10 (1/4 oz.) Buffalo Gold Coin (2008 only)	22mm (0.866 in.)	1.83mm (0.072 in.)	0.25 Troy oz. (7.776 g, 0.274 oz.)
$25 (1/2 oz.) Buffalo Gold Coin (2008 only)	27mm (1.063 in.)	2.24mm (0.088 in.)	0.503 Troy oz. (15.552 g, 0.5485 oz.)
$50 (1 oz.) Buffalo Gold Coin (2006 to date)	32.7mm (1.287 in.)	2.75mm (0.108 in.)	1.01 Troy oz. (31.103 g, 1.097 oz.)