American Buffalo
| American Buffalo | |
|---|---|
| Metal: | 99.99% Au |
| Edge: | corrugated |
| Embossing years: | 2006 until today |
| front | |
|
|
| Motive: | Indian head |
| Designer: | James Earle Fraser |
| Draft date: | 1913 |
| back | |
|
|
| Motive: | buffalo |
| Designer: | James Earle Fraser |
| Draft date: | 1913 |
In the American Buffalo is a 24- carat - Bullion Gold Coin (fineness 99.99%). The weight is 1 troy ounce (31.1035 grams). It is supported by the United States Mint ( Mint of the United States) published since June 22, 2006 in West Point (New York) dominated. It is the first fine gold coin minted by the US Mint . The nominal value is 50 dollars . The coin can be used as an official means of payment .
The design of the front and back is based on a 5-cent coin from 1913 (Indian Head Nickel, Buffalo Nickel). On the front there is a portrait of an Indian , although it is not clear who it is. The models at the time were Chief Iron Tail ( Lakota Sioux ), Chief Two Moons ( Cheyenne ) and Chief John Big Tree ( Seneca ). The reverse shows a North American buffalo standing on a grassy hill . It is said to have been the "Black Diamond", a popular attraction in the Central Park Zoo in New York.
For collectors, the “ Polished Plate ” version is also stamped. This higher quality version has the mintmark “W” for West Point to distinguish it.
In 2006, 323,000 American Buffalo coins were minted and sold by the US Mint. In 2007 there were 167,500 pieces.
Due to the still young minting period and the still small number of pieces, the coin is difficult to obtain in Germany. Banks and savings banks as well as coin dealers generally offer this coin.
Since 2008 the American Buffalo has also been available in sizes of 1 ⁄ 10 , ¼ and ½ troy ounce, but only in the proof version.
| size | diameter | thickness | Weight | Face value | Embossing years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ⁄ 10 ounce | 16.5 mm | 1.19 mm | 3.11 g | $ 5 | since 2008 |
| ¼ ounce | 22.0 mm | 1.63 mm | 7.78 g | $ 10 | since 2008 |
| ½ ounce | 26.5 mm | 2.16 mm | 15.55 g | $ 25 | since 2008 |
| 1 ounce | 32.7 mm | 2.95 mm | 31.1035 g | $ 50 | since 2006 |
Web links
- The US Mint Web site (English).