American Gold Buffalo 1 oz Coin (BU)

The Mint’s Purest Gold

The American Gold Buffalo is the purest gold the US Mint has ever struck. Introduced in 2006, it was the Mint’s first coin in .9999 fine gold, four nines instead of the 22 karat alloy used on the Gold Eagle. Every coin holds one troy ounce of gold, backed by a $50 face value from the United States. The Mint’s purest gold coin, four nines instead of the Eagle’s 22 karat.

The Design That Started on a Nickel

The design started on a nickel: James Earle Fraser’s 1913 Buffalo Nickel gave the Mint its Native American profile and its bison, modeled on Black Diamond, a bison who lived at New York’s Central Park Zoo. The Gold Buffalo enlarges that century-old design onto a full ounce of gold, LIBERTY and the date on the obverse, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the bison on the reverse. Fraser’s 1913 design, struck in gold instead of nickel.

You Don’t Pick the Year

This listing ships whatever year the Mint has most available, not a year you choose. It matters less here than on some coins, since the design hasn’t changed since it launched in 2006, only the date does. A specific year isn’t guaranteed, only the coin underneath it is.

Guaranteed Purity, Backed by the Government

What the Mint guarantees is the metal. Every coin weighs one troy ounce and assays at .9999 fine gold, carries a $50 face value as US legal tender, and clears the IRS’s .995 minimum for a precious metals IRA on fineness alone. Weight and purity are assayed, whichever year arrives.

American Gold Buffalo Specifications

Every coin holds one troy ounce of .9999 fine gold, 32.7 mm across, with a $50 face value struck into the design. Diameter and purity are fixed, whichever year ships. Full current specs, including thickness and edge, are on the Specifications tab above.

American Gold Buffalo FAQ

Will I know which year I’m getting?

No, this listing ships whatever year the Mint has on hand, not one you select, and a multi-coin order may include a mix of years. You cannot request a year, though every year carries the same design and purity.

Is the American Gold Buffalo IRA eligible?

Yes. At .9999 fine, it clears the IRS’s .995 minimum for a precious metals IRA on purity alone, no special exception needed the way the Gold Eagle requires one. It qualifies on purity alone, not a named exception.

Does this coin have legal tender status?

Yes, every American Gold Buffalo carries a $50 face value and is legal tender in the United States, though the gold inside is worth far more than that number stamped on the coin. $50 is the face value, not what the coin is worth.

How is the Gold Buffalo different from the Gold Eagle?

The Buffalo is .9999 fine, 24 karat gold. The Eagle is .9167 fine, 22 karat, alloyed with copper and silver for durability. The Buffalo is pure, the Eagle is an alloy built to resist scratches.

What condition will my coin arrive in?

Brilliant Uncirculated, as struck by the Mint. Because .9999 gold is soft, coins may show light handling marks from minting, which is normal for the series and doesn’t affect the gold content. Condition is Brilliant Uncirculated, straight from the Mint’s own strike.

Curious how the Buffalo compares to the rest of the case? Browse our full Gold Coins selection.

Ready to add America’s purest gold to your stack? Add the American Gold Buffalo 1 oz Coin to your cart.