US Buffalo Silver Dollars

Designed by James Earle Fraser and mintedJune 1, 2001, and were all sold in three weeks
between 1913 and 1918, the Buffalo Nickel is onetime.
of the most popular American coins. A student ofComposed of 90% and 10% alloy, they weigh
the sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens - who26.73 grams and are 1.5" in diameter. The proof
designed the beautiful $20 Double Eagle - Frasercoins were minted in Philadelphia, and the
included his initial, "F," on the obverse side underuncirculated ones were minted in Denver.
the date.There are slight differences between the Buffalo
An American Bison appears on the reverse. Thesilver dollars and the original nickels. "Liberty" is
model was most likely a buffalo named Blackinscribed to the right of the Indian's profile on the
Diamond who lived in Central Park at the time theobverse. And "United States of America" and "In
coin was designed.God We Trust" are above the buffalo on the
A portrait of a Native American chief appears inreverse,
the obverse. The portrait is actually a compositeBuffalo dollars are available on the U.S. Mint web
of several chiefs who modeled for Fraser. Theysite and through coin dealers. Uncirculated and
were performing in one of the popular Wild WestProof versions sell for $233 and $270,
shows in New York.respectively, which means they were a very
Although production of the nickels stopped ingood investment. Coins that were one of the
1918, they were in circulation for decades.50,000 American Buffalo Coinage and Currency
In 1982, Congress authorized the production ofsets are even more valuable.
U.S. commemorative coins to honor significantThe U.S. Mint has issued commemorative coins
people and events in American history. And inevery year since 1982. Silver dollars are among
2000, the issuance of a silver dollarthe most collectible types of coins produced. In
commemorating the opening of the National2010, two commemorative silver dollars are being
Museum of the American Indian at theminted - one honoring the 100th anniversary of
Smithsonian Institution was approved.the Boy Scouts of America and one honoring the
There were only 500,000 of the American BuffaloAmerican Veterans Disable for Life.
Silver Dollars minted. They originally sold for $35,In 2011, the U.S. Army and the Medal of Honor will
with a portion of the sale going to help fund thebe celebrated with commemorative silver dollars.
museum. The silver dollars were first available