Buy American Gold Buffalo Coins – America's First 24-Carat Bullion Coin

The American Gold Buffalo is the United States' first and only 999.9/1,000 fine gold legal tender bullion coin – launched on 22 June 2006 by the West Point Mint to commemorate the centenary of James Earle Fraser's iconic Buffalo Nickel design (1913). With 5 products at CelticGold, all in the standard 1 oz format, it offers the US Government guarantee and the most celebrated design in American numismatic history in pure 24-carat gold.

History – The Buffalo Nickel's Century-Long Journey to Gold

James Earle Fraser's 1913 Buffalo Nickel is widely considered the most distinctively American coin design ever created. The obverse depicts a composite portrait of three Native American chiefs (Iron Tail, Two Moons and John Big Tree); the reverse shows an American bison on a grass mound. Raw, powerful and unlike the European-style allegorical designs that dominated earlier US coinage, the Buffalo Nickel ran until 1938.

The Gold Bullion Coin Act of 2005 authorised the West Point Mint to recreate Fraser's design for a new 24-carat gold bullion coin. The Buffalo launched on 22 June 2006 – available only in 1 oz, $50 face value. Unlike the American Eagle (22 carat), the Buffalo is pure 999.9/1,000 fine gold – preferred by investors who want maximum purity without compromise.

Key Facts

US coins: USA. Compare: American Eagle. All series: Gold Coins by Series.

FAQ

Buffalo or American Eagle – which is better? American Eagle: 22 carat (916.7/1,000), four sizes, scratch-resistant alloy. Buffalo: 24 carat (999.9/1,000), 1 oz only, pure fine gold but more sensitive to surface marks. Both carry a US Government guarantee and are equally VAT-exempt. The Buffalo has a slight premium for its higher purity.

Why is the Buffalo only available in 1 oz? The US Mint has produced the Buffalo exclusively in 1 oz for regular issues. Occasional proof fractional editions have appeared in special collector sets, but these are not part of CelticGold's standard range.