Few American coin designs are as recognizable as the Buffalo: a Native American profile on one side, an American bison on the other. More than a century after it first appeared, the design still stops people in their tracks. This is the story of the original coin, and of the tribute we make in its honor.
A sculptor’s design for the five-cent piece
Sculptor James Earle Fraser created the design for the five-cent piece, and the U.S. Mint struck the “Buffalo nickel” from 1913 to 1938. Fraser wanted a coin that could only be American. For the front he made a composite portrait of a Native American man, drawn from several models. For the back he chose the American bison, shown standing on a mound in the first version of 1913.
The raised mound left the words FIVE CENTS exposed to wear, so later in 1913 the Mint changed the design to show the bison on flat ground, with the denomination set in a recess below. Collectors still call the two versions Type I and Type II.
The design returns
The Buffalo never really left American coinage. The U.S. Mint used it on a commemorative silver dollar in 2001, and in 2006 it brought the design back, almost unchanged, for the American Buffalo gold coin, the first 24-karat gold coin the Mint had ever issued.
Our Gold Buffalo Tribute
Our Gold Buffalo Tribute is a privately made collectible reproduction of Fraser’s design, with a gold-tone finish. It is not a gold coin and is not made of solid gold. It has no denomination, is not legal tender and is not a bullion product or investment. It is made for the pleasure of the design: to hold, display, collect or give.
Each piece comes in its own protective capsule and gift box, with a specification card.
How to tell a tribute from the original
- Denomination. The genuine coins state one: the Buffalo nickel reads FIVE CENTS, and the American Buffalo gold coin carries a face value. Our tribute carries none.
- Legal tender. Genuine U.S. coins are legal tender. Our tribute is not.
- Who made it. The originals were struck by the U.S. Mint. Our tribute is privately made and sold by American Collectors Mint.
Displaying and gifting
The Buffalo pairs well with the other classic designs in our collection: the American Eagle, Walking Liberty and the Morgan dollar. Some collectors build a set of all four. Others keep a single Buffalo on a desk or shelf, or give one to someone who loves the history of the American West.
Caring for your tribute
Keep your tribute in its capsule, handle it by the edges and store it somewhere dry. Do not use cleaners, polishes or abrasives: methods meant for genuine coins can damage the finish on a tribute.
American Collectors Mint is not affiliated with the United States Government in any way. The United States Government does not sponsor or endorse these products.