America’s commemorative coin production ended a long hiatus in 1982 when the United States Mint released a commemorative silver dollar in honor of the 250th birthday of George Washington. To date, numerous iconic images have appeared on commemorative silver coins from the Mint, including James Earle Fraser’s Indian Head nickel design on the Buffalo Silver Dollar. Today, you can purchase a 2001 Buffalo Silver Dollar from JM Bullion with MS70 certification from the Professional Coin Grading Service.
Coin Highlights:
- Only around 197,000 of these coins were minted and even fewer will receive a perfect grade!
- Minted at Denver branch of the US Mint.
- Graded a perfect MS70 by the PCGS.
- Contains .900 pure silver.
- Design features a depiction of Black Diamond, a buffalo that lived at the Central Park Zoo.
- Design by James Earle Fraser.
- Ships in the plastic slab from PCGS.
Together with Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, the PCGS is one of the toughest certification services operating today. When a coin earns a Mint State 70 grade from the PCGS, it authenticates the coin and adds instant value for investors and collectors alike. An MS70 grade identifies a coin as possessing its full, original luster and sharp, attractive strike for the date and mint. What you won’t find on this coin is any contact mark, blemish, or hairline. The coins in this listing are perfectly struck in the eyes of the PCGS.
Commemorative silver dollar coins are struck by the US Mint for the purposes of exhibition and display, and are not intended for release as circulation currency despite the fact that they carry a face value of $1. James Earle Fraser’s Indian Head nickel, in circulation from 1913 to 1938, served as the inspiration for the design of this coin. Subsequent coins from the US Mint, notably the American Gold Buffalo, also borrow this motif.
On the obverse side of the coin is Fraser’s American Indian chieftain. Featured in right-profile relief, the chieftain is the result of a combination of facial features from three real-life American Indian leaders. The reverse side features a bison standing atop a mound of dirt. Fraser created this image using Black Diamond, a bison from the Central Park Zoo, as inspiration.
The United States Mint struck these Buffalo Silver Dollar coins at the Denver Mint, as indicated by the “D” mint mark, and used .900 silver in the process. These coins had a maximum mintage of 500,000 coins, with some 197,000 uncirculated coins produced as part of the series.
JM Bullion is happy to answer all your questions about the Buffalo Silver Dollar coin. Please direct your inquires to one of our team members on the phone at 800-276-6508, online using our live web chat, or via email.