This marks the seventh year of the American Gold Buffalo coin series. They continue to be offered in only the one ounce size and are investment grade, with their weight, content, and purity guaranteed by the US government. The Gold Buffalos are required by law to be struck from US-sourced gold within one year of the mining date of the gold. The Bullion and Proof 1 oz Gold Buffalo coins are both struck at the West Point Mint, with only the Proof versions bearing a W mint mark. JM Bullion has the 2012 1 oz American Gold Buffalo Coin available for purchase right now.
Coin Highlights:
- Received in a protective plastic flip!
- 7th year of the American Gold Buffalo coin series!
- Contains 1 Troy oz of .9999 fine gold.
- Total of 100,000 coins were minted in 2012.
- A Native American is depicted on the obverse.
- An American Buffalo is depicted on the reverse.
- Bears a face value of $50 (USD), fully guaranteed by the US government.
American sculptor James Earle Fraser designed the obverse and reverse that appeared on the Indian Head – or Buffalo – Nickel, that was struck by the US Mint from 1913 to 1938. Public Law 109-145, also known as the Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005, mandated the creation of the United States’ first 24 karat gold coin – the 1 ounce American Gold Buffalo. The law also stipulated that Fraser’s Buffalo Nickel designs be used as the obverse and reverse of the .9999 pure gold American Gold Buffalo. These coins were created to, at least in part, keep pace with the 24 karat gold coin offerings of other countries, such as the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf and the Chinese Gold Panda.
The obverse of the American Gold Buffalo features the right-facing profile of a Native American Chief. It is widely believed that this profile is a composite of the profiles of three Indian Chiefs: Chief Iron Tail of the Oglala Lakota, Chief John Big Tree of the Kiowa, and Chief Two Moons of the Cheyenne. Considered to be among the best designs of any US coin, the Buffalo Nickel’s obverse design was chosen for the American Gold Buffalo.
The reverse of the American Gold Buffalo features the left-facing profile of an American Buffalo. It is widely believed that Black Diamond, the massive buffalo of the Central Park Zoo, is the basis for the American Buffalo profile. The beauty of Fraser’s Buffalo Nickel reverse design is why it was also chosen to be the reverse of the American Gold Buffalo.
The American Gold Buffalo Coin series was created as an addition to, and not a replacement of, the America Gold Eagle Coin series. The Gold Eagles are struck in 22 karat gold while the Gold Buffalos are struck in 24 karat gold. Many investors prefer .9999 pure gold coins, thus the American Gold Buffalo coin puts the US into the .9999 pure gold market.
Should you have any questions about gold for sale, please contact our JM Bullion Customer Service team, as we are happy to assist you. We can be reached via phone at 800-276-6508, via our live chat, or via our email.