American Buffalo: The First US Coin Struck in Pure 24-Karat Gold
Among gold investment coins, American Buffalo holds a special place – it was the first coin the US Mint ever struck in pure 24-karat gold. Unlike other popular coins in investment gold, such as the Vienna Philharmonic or the Krugerrand, American Buffalo carries a motif with roots that run deeper into American history than the coin itself. What makes it distinctive, and why is it worth knowing about even if you're not specifically after this particular coin?
From a five-cent piece to investment gold
The American Buffalo design isn't original to the coin – it's based on the legendary US five-cent piece, the Buffalo Nickel, designed by sculptor James Earle Fraser and struck from 1913 to 1938. When the US Mint decided in 2006 to issue its first coin made of pure 24-karat gold, it reached for exactly this motif: a Native American profile on the obverse and an American bison on the reverse, accompanied by the inscriptions "E PLURIBUS UNUM" and "IN GOD WE TRUST."
Technical specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Metal | Gold |
| Weight | 1 Oz (31.1035 g) |
| Fineness | 999.9/1000 (24 karat) |
| Diameter | 32.70 mm |
| Face value | $50 USD |
| Mint | United States Mint |
| Status | Legal tender in the US |
Why 24-karat gold is the exception
Most older American gold coins (such as the American Eagle) are struck from an alloy containing copper for greater wear resistance. American Buffalo was the first exception – pure 999.9/1000 gold, though, also means a softer material that needs to be handled more carefully than harder alloy coins. If you're after similarly high fineness without the trade-off in hardness, comparable specifications can be found in European coins such as the Vienna Philharmonic or the Canadian Maple Leaf, which are also struck to 999.9/1000 fineness.
One ounce, less divisible
American Buffalo is minted only in the 1 Oz format – unlike some other coin series, it doesn't come in fractional weights (1/2, 1/4, 1/10 Oz). That means lower divisibility of your investment, though typically also a lower premium per gram than smaller coins. If you're after more flexibility to split an investment into smaller pieces, smaller-weight gold bars are worth considering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does GOLDU sell the American Buffalo coin?
We don't currently carry this specific coin, but we offer a range of comparable investment coins with the same 999.9/1000 fineness – such as the Vienna Philharmonic, Maple Leaf, or Australian Kangaroo. See the full range in our investment gold section.
Since when has the American Buffalo been minted?
Since 2006. It was the first coin the US Mint produced in 24-karat (999.9/1000) gold.
Why is the American Buffalo softer than other US gold coins?
Because it's struck from pure 24-karat gold without the harder metals, such as copper, that coins like the American Eagle contain. That delivers higher fineness, but also lower scratch resistance.
Risk Disclosure
This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. More in the document Risk disclosure and nature of information provided.
