The 2008 American Buffalo Coin is now available for purchase from the U.S. Mint. The coin is the first from a new program titled, the United States Mint Celebration Series.
The program will offer several coin products that are packaged and released to celebrate special gift-giving occasions and events.
The American Buffalo 2008 coin celebrates the 2008 Lunar New Year – a traditionally important gift-giving time of year for Asian-Americans. It contains one ounce of 24-karat, .9999 fine gold.
A Mint statement regarding the American Buffalo celebration coin said:
“In many Asian cultures, there is a tradition of buying gold for loved ones to show how much you care for them,” said United States Mint Director Edmund C. Moy. The United States Mint Celebration Series is an outreach initiative to Americans who are not already collecting coins. The first special numismatic product in the series, the American Buffalo 2008 Celebration Coin, will be available to all interested purchasers.
“The introduction of the American Buffalo 2008 Celebration Coin will be an exceptional opportunity for both first-time Asian-American buyers, as well as our long-term gold coin collectors,” Director Moy continued.
Pricing and order information
The 2008 American Buffalo Celebration Coin is currently priced at $1,118.88*, plus $4.95 for shipping and handling. The Mint is quick to point out that pricing may change based on the value of bullion. There are no order limits and the coin can be purchased online through the Mint information page:
American Buffalo 2008 Celebration Coin
To order by telephone, call 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may order by calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468).
Coin Design, specifications and Mint ‘Certificate of Authenticity’ card
With each coin the Mint includes a Certificate of Authenticity, featuring the signature and chop mark of the Director of the United States Mint on one side and the coin specifications on the other (latter shown).
- Face value: $50
- Condition: Bullion
- Date: 2008
- Mint: West Point
- Diameter: 1.287 inches (32.70mm)
- Thickness: 0.103 inch (2.62mm)
- Composition: .9999 Fine Gold
- Weight: 1.0001 troy oz. (31.108g)
- Content: Gold 1.0000 troy oz. (31.1035g)
- Design: Based on the original Buffalo nickel, as designed by James Earle Fraser and minted from 1913 through 1938
- Obverse: Portrays a profile representation of a Native American
- Reverse: A representation of an American Buffalo (also known as a bison)
*Editor’s note: The U.S. Mint adjusted prices for the 2008 American Buffalo Coin. Originally, it sold for $1,018.88. On March 12, 2008, it was adjusted upward $100 to $1,118.88.
Does anyone know if this coin is proof or uncirculated?
Bullion Coins are Uncirculated Coins. If proof coin it will be stated Proof. Condition is stated as Bullion so it must be Uncirculated.