American Buffalo Silver Dollars
Posted by SA on 08 Feb 2010 at 03:06 am | Tagged as: Commemorative Silver Dollars
The Buffalo Nickel is one of the best loved American coins. Designed by James Earle Fraser, it was produced between 1913 and 1938. Fraser was a student of sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, who designed one of the most beautiful American coins, the $20 Double Eagle. Fraser’s initial “F” appears under the date on the obverse side.
The reverse side of the coin features an America Bison. Black Diamond, a buffalo in New York’s Central Park, was likely the model.
American Buffalo Silver Dollar
The obverse shows a portrait of a Native American Chief. Fraser used several actual chiefs as models — Iron Tail of the Oglala Sioux tribe, Two Moons of the Cheyenne tribe, and Big Tree of the Kiowa tribe. The three performed in Wild West shows in New York City when Fraser was designing the coin.
Fast forward 80+ years. The U.S. Mint decides to produce a coin to commemorate the opening of the National Museum of the American Indian at the Smithsonian Institution. And a slightly modified version Fraser‘s Buffalo Nickel design was chosen for the coin. On October 27, 2000, President William Clinton signed the law authorizing the creation of the commemorative silver dollar.
Only 500,000 coins were struck. They went on sale on June 1, 2001, and they were sold out by June 21. Originally, the coins sold for $35 apiece but today, proof coins are selling for $250 to $800. A portion of the proceeds from the original sale was used to help supplement the museum’s endowment fund.
American Buffalo Silver Dollar
Buffalo Silver Dollars are 90% silver and 10% alloy, and they weigh 26.73 grams. The uncirculated coins were struck in Denver, and the proof coins were struck in Philadelphia.
The silver dollars are slightly different from the original nickels. The word “Liberty” appears on the obverse to the right of the Chief’s profile. On the reverse, the words “United States of America” and “In God We Trust” appear above the buffalo. And “One Dollar” is visible below.
Coin collectors who jumped on the opportunity and were able to purchase Buffalo Silver Dollars are very glad they did. Especially those who were able to obtain one of the 50,000 American Buffalo Coinage and Currency sets.
If you collect coins, keep tabs on new issues from the U.S. mint.
Read more about collecting silver dollars here.
Photos: U.S. Mint