2009 Gold Buffalo Proof Coins

The United States Mint today said the 2009 American Buffalo Gold Proof Coin will launch on Thursday, October 29, at noon Eastern Time.

The release date is not surprising since it was tentatively announced earlier this month. What is nearly shocking is that there will be "no mintage or household order limit for this product."

A quick "Hurray!" comes to mind, before it is silenced somewhat with the prospects of the mad dash to order.

Given their lateness in release, the fact that they were suspended several times in 2008 due to "unprecedented demand" for gold coins, and their natural desirability, the pent up demand for proof 2009 Buffalo coins is enormous. The bullion versions of these coins opened Thursday, Oct. 15 to blistering sales. 71,500 were sold by the following Monday. As of Wednesday, 86,000 were gone, representing in those few days an astounding 50 percent of the entire total sold in 2008!

And the bullion versions are sold in bulk to the Mint’s several authorized dealers — not in tens of thousands of onesies or twosies orders as will occur when coin collectors buy. Even an optimist has to suspect the US Mint phone lines and Web site will again be susceptible to downtime, as happened last Thursday when nearly 30,000 Lincoln Coin and Chronicles Sets were purchased within five hours.

But then, it is not like any limit could prevent that if the one-ounce, 24 karat Buffalo gold coin price tag is within reach of the average collector who wants one. Perhaps that is what the Mint is expecting… that the price will keep some shoppers at home initially. Should gold remain above $1,050 an ounce as it has been, the price for Proof Buffalo coins will be $1,360 — a large increase compared to when the 2008s were launched and gold was cheaper. Yet, the 2008s on the secondary market are going for more than two times their Mint launch price. The $1,360 price does not look expensive at all by comparison.

The reality is that a limit could have increased the frenzy on order day. Still, there is no public Mint memo indicating how long the 2009s will be struck — it is close to 2010 after all — and how many 24 karat coin blanks they have. Most collectors are likely to purchase as soon as possible, "while they can." The 2008 experience and sudden halt of other collector coins has to be on the back of their minds.

Last year the Mint struck fractional sizes of the Buffalo gold coin. This year it will not as a result of a slashing of its numismatic portfolio — a decision the Mint made in Nov. 2008. The Mint reminds coin collectors of this fact within its announcement today.

As a result of the numismatic product portfolio analysis conducted late last year, fractional denominations of the American Buffalo Gold Proof and Uncirculated Coins, as well as the American Buffalo Four-Coin Set, are no longer offered for sale.  

Buffalo coin design

Both the obverse and reverse of the Buffalo coin are the same basic design that first appeared on the 1913 circulating nickel, commonly known by most as either the "Indian Head Nickel" or the "Buffalo Nickel." This classic coin is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful ever produced by the US Mint and ran until 1938, when it is discontinued in favor of the Thomas Jefferson design.

The obverse has a portrait of a Native American, said to be a composite of three Indian chiefs. Many have claimed to be one of those three models, but only two were ever verified by the artist James Earle Fraser; Cheyenne Chief Two Moons and Lakota Sioux Chief Iron Tail.

The reverse contains an image of an American buffalo, also known as a bison. It is believed by many to be modeled after the creature named "Black Diamond" who lived in the New York City Zoo.

"Each 2009 American Buffalo Gold Proof Coin is presented in an elegant hardwood box with a matte finish and a faux leather inset," the US Mint said in its release announcement.  "The coins are exhibited on a platform which can stand at an angle for display when the box is open.  A custom-designed Certificate of Authenticity signed by the Director of the United States Mint is also included."

The coins are struck at the US Mint facility at West Point Mint and bear the "W" mint mark.

Order details

When available, the gold coin can be ordered directly from the United States Mint Web site at http://www.usmint.gov/, or directly here.

Orders may also be placed at the toll-free number 1-800- USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing and speech-impaired customers may order by calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468).