American Gold Buffalos translate James Earle Fraser's 1913 nickel artwork into .9999 fine gold, centered on the one-ounce $50 coin with a one-year fractional family in 2008.
This guide covers cataloged 2006–2026 bullion and collector issues, five modeled types, and the catalog's proof, reverse-proof, burnished, and set varieties.
Core specifications
- Issue period
- 2006 to date
- Catalog mints
- 1
- Reported catalog mintage
- 4,227,479
- Composition
- 99.99% Fine Gold
- Diameter
- Varies by type
- Weight
- Varies by type
A western nickel design returns in pure gold
The American Buffalo program began in 2006 with the Mint's first .9999 fine, 24-karat gold bullion coin.
The familiar Native American portrait and bison reverse anchor the one-ounce series; tenth-, quarter-, and half-ounce coins and their sets were issued in 2008.
Obverse, reverse, and the details that identify the type
Confirm the major design, date, and mint mark before studying smaller die differences.
The main portrait and date
Fraser's composite Native American portrait faces right, with LIBERTY and the date; collector coins may carry a W mint mark.
Denomination, subject, and mint mark
An American bison stands on a raised ground line above denomination, weight, and .9999 FINE GOLD inscriptions.
Where the cataloged coins were made
Totals are calculated from reported issue records in this catalog; unknown figures are not counted as zero.
- W — West Point: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026; 4,227,479. W identifies West Point; use the year, product, and finish to separate circulation releases from collector issues.
Representative issues that explain the series
Build the one-ounce bullion or proof run first, then treat the 2008 fractional coins, sets, burnished pieces, and special finishes as a distinct module.
- 2006 W — 337,012. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
- 2008 W - Burnished Uncirculated — 17,429. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
- 2008 W - Four Coin Set - $50 $25 $10 $5 — N/A. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
- 2025 W — 125,000. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
- 2026 W — N/A. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
Start with the major type, then study smaller die differences
The current catalog records 23 varieties. A variety name describes repeatable die features; it does not automatically mean error, rarity, or added value.
The issue catalog keeps all 23 modeled varieties attached to their parent issue records.
Issue catalog
From one type coin to a complete catalog
- One representative coin: Choose one problem-free, readable example and learn the size, edge, and major design.
- Major-type set: Use one coin per major design to show changes in artwork, composition, or production.
- Dates and mints: Work through the issue catalog by date and mint, defining special finishes separately.
- Variety study: Choose one date or diagnostic family and record several matching markers for every attribution.
A note on catalog records
This page uses 30 issue records, 23 modeled varieties, and currently reported mintages; unknown values remain unknown.
Sources
- American Buffalo Coins — United States Mint
- United States Mint Bullion Coins — United States Mint
- Gold Buffalos category reference — PCGS CoinFacts