This Coin News Extra article offers sales by day and total sales for the 2013 Reverse Proof American Gold Buffalo, the coin that commemorates the centennial anniversary of James Earle Fraser’s famous buffalo and Indian head designs that debuted on nickels that were struck for circulation between 1913 and 1938.
2013 $50 Reverse Proof American Gold Buffalo and its Presentation Case
Because a reverse proof American Gold Buffalo had never been minted, strong interest was evident before the unique piece went on sale at 12:00 Noon ET on August 8, 2013. The volume of early sales, however, was higher than anyone could have expected.
CoinNews.net first reported that unit orders summed to 12,603 coins within 30 minutes, representing sales of $20,713,200 based on the $1,640.00 price of the American Gold Buffalo. Sales jumped higher by the next day with unit orders accumulating to 21,009 coins, or $34,454,760, by 3 PM ET. Sales ended for the gold coin at 47,836.
This last sales figure was provided by the United States Mint directly on the Gold Buffalo’s online product page. It had a sales banner or "sales odometer" as the US Mint provided daily updates straight to the public, just like it did earlier this year for the 2013 West Point American Silver Eagle Two-Coin Set.
Sales Banner for 2013 Reverse Proof American Gold Buffalo as it appeared on the first day it was added to the Mint’s website, August 9, 2013
The reverse proof was on sale for four weeks, going off sale on September 5, 2013 at 5 PM ET. The US Mint banner was updated daily with a countdown ticker for the number of sales days remaining. There was also a box for total units ordered that is updated every business day by 3 PM ET.
Final “sales odometer” reading for Reverse Proof Gold Buffalo
The grid below lists sales by day and the latest sales total as provided by the sales banner. Similar to the reporting of daily sales for the American Silver Eagle Two-Coin Set, this Coin News Extra article was updated each business day with the latest figures. In typical behavior, coin sales tapered and then pick up toward the end of the Buffalo’s availability. A factor that did influence sales was the coin’s price. It opened at $1,640.00 and was changed twice as the market value of gold climbed. It went up $50 on August 14 and then climbed another $50 on August 21. Its last sales price before going off sale was $1,740.00.
Coin Sales by Day for 2013 Reverse Proof American Gold Buffalo
| Sales Per Day or Through Weekend | Total Sales | |
|---|---|---|
| August 8, 2013 | Release Date | |
| August 9, 2013 | 21,009 | 21,009 |
| August 10, 2013 | Weekend | |
| August 11, 2013 | ||
| August 12, 2013 | 3,874 | 24,883 |
| August 13, 2013 | 2,022 | 26,905 |
| August 14, 2013 | 2,548 | 29,453 |
| August 15, 2013 | 1,029 | 30,482 |
| August 16, 2013 | 692 | 31,174 |
| August 17, 2013 | Weekend | |
| August 18, 2013 | ||
| August 19, 2013 | 1,502 | 32,676 |
| August 20, 2013 | 1,410 | 34,086 |
| August 21, 2013 | 1,624 | 35,710 |
| August 22, 2013 | 547 | 36,257 |
| August 23, 2013 | 271 | 36,528 |
| August 24, 2013 | Weekend | |
| August 25, 2013 | ||
| August 26, 2013 | 786 | 37,314 |
| August 27, 2013 | 263 | 37,577 |
| August 28, 2013 | 1,284 | 38,861 |
| August 29, 2013 | 1,100 | 39,961 |
| August 30, 2013 | 843 | 40,804 |
| August 31, 2013 | Extended Labor Day Weekend | |
| September 1, 2013 | ||
| September 2, 2013 | ||
| September 3, 2013 | 1,991 | 42,795 |
| September 4, 2013 | 1,683 | 44,478 |
| September 5, 2013 | 1,434 | 45,912 |
| Sales in Final Hours | 1,924 | 47,836 |
Like past bullion and standard proof versions issued, the 2013-W Reverse Proof American Gold Buffalo Coin was struck at the West Point Mint from one ounce of 24 karat, or 99.99% pure gold. Each has a diameter of 1.287 inches, a thickness of 0.116 inches and a reeded edge. This gold coin is denominated in $50 and carries the "W" mint mark for West Point.
A reverse proof finish is opposite of the standard proof finish. In a reverse proof coin, its raised design elements are mirror-like and its fields or background are frosted. (See side-by-side images of a proof and reverse proof.)
For more information about the 24-karat gold series and its designs, visit the United States Mint website at http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/buffalo24k/.
