Platinum, Gold, Silver & Coins

BUFFALO GOLD BULLION COINS

The American Buffalo gold coins are the first 24-karat gold coins ever struck by the United States Mint. These coins bear the original designs by James Earle Fraser which appear on the Indian Head 5 cent coins known as the Buffalo nickel - 1913 Type 1.

The Native American depiction on the coins obverse is believed to be based on three different American Indians. Two of the American Indians who modeled for Fraser as he sculpted the coin were named by the designer before his death. They were known as Chief Iron Tail of the Lakota Sioux and Chief Two Moons of the Cheyenne. Although many have claimed to have had a sitting with Fraser for this design, he could not recall the name of the third person and satisfactory documentation has not yet been found to identify that individual. It is widely believed that the bison on the coins reverse was modeled after Black Diamond, a popular attraction at the New York Zoological Gardens.  http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/buffalo24k/

The 2008 Buffalo 24 karat gold coin pictured below

	Obverse Engraver: James Earle Fraser Description: Based on the original 1913 Buffalo nickel, Type 1, as designed by James Earle Fraser — features a profile of a Native American.
	Reverse Engraver: James Earle Fraser Description: Based on the original 1913 Buffalo nickel, Type 1, as designed by James Earle Fraser — features an American Buffalo (also known as a bison).