2006-W American Gold Buffalo Proof

In 2006, the United States Mint added a second gold bullion coin to its precious metals portfolio. Authorized by the Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005

In 2006, the United States Mint added a second gold bullion coin to its precious metals portfolio with the introduction of the American Gold Buffalo. Authorized by the Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005, the coin was the Mint’s first .9999 fine gold piece.

While no new program is guaranteed to succeed, the Mint had reason to believe that the Gold Buffalo would be well received by collectors and investors alike. A 2001 silver commemorative coin bearing Fraser’s work had sold out of its authorized 500,000 coin mintage in just 15 days.

The first American Buffalo gold coins rolled off the press on June 20, 2006, at the West Point Mint and were available for purchase on June 22. Demand for the new design was markedly higher than demand for that year’s American Gold Eagle. For the 2006-W American Buffalo Gold Proof, the Mint set a mintage limit of 250,000. The final mintage of 246,267 represents that total minus returns.

2006-W American Buffalo Gold Proof Collecting Today

To date, the 2006-W American Buffalo Gold Proof has the highest mintage of any Proof issue in the series and should be considered a common date. The coin is frequently offered for sale in online auctions in its original government packaging or as a certified coin.

Should one buy a raw or certified coin? There are benefits exclusive to both, and so long as the first point of purchase is the U.S. Mint or a nationally known dealer, the raw version is perfectly acceptable. A benefit to the certified version is the streamlined storage capability of the coin holder, the trackable certification number, and the guarantee of authenticity. Counterfeit 2006-W American Buffalo Gold Proof coins exist in both raw and “fake” slab form. Exercise due diligence before making any purchase.

As to whether Proof 70 coins carry better financial upside than 69s, we are less certain. The grade distribution of 69/70 at NGC and PCGS is wildly divergent, and as the services have certified only 20% of the total mintage, the number of 70s is certain to increase (maybe even double) in coming years. Assume any well-cared-for raw coin is a shot 70 and price accordingly.

2006-W American Gold Buffalo Proof Market Data and Noteworthy Specimens

Top Population: PCGS PR70DCAM (6,882, 11/2024), NGC PF70UCAM (21,121, 11/2024), and CAC PR70DCAM (0:68 stickered:graded, 11/2024).

The 2006-W American Gold Buffalo Proof is available in NGC and PCGSホルダー. Both services use the following grading scale for Proof American Gold Buffalos:

PR69DCAM

PR70DCAM

The American Gold Buffalo Proof was struck at the West Point Mint (mintmark W) and carries a “W” mintmark on the obverse, above the Indian’s shoulder. The mintmark is small and easily overlooked.

The 2006-W American Gold Buffalo Proof has a reeded edge.

Design

Obverse: A realistic portrait of a mature Native American male faces to the right and is slightly offset to the left. The figure wears two feathers in his hair, fixed in a braid over his right ear. The date is raised and positioned on the shoulder. An incuse letter F for Fraser’s last name appears below the final numeral of the date. In the field to the right of the figure’s forehead and nose, wrapping inside the rim, is the word LIBERTY.

Reverse: A full figure of an American buffalo faces to the left. The animal is depicted standing on the ground. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM are artfully placed over the buffalo, with the motto IN GOD WE TRUST positioned above the ground to the left. Written in incuse lettering on the mound is the face value $50, the coin’s weight 1 OZ, and metal fineness .9999 FINE GOLD.

Coin Specifications

Denomination: $50

Year of Issue: 2006

Mint of Issue: West Point (mintmark W)

Composition: .9999 fine gold

Weight: 1 troy ounce

Diameter: 32.70 mm

Thickness: 2.98 mm

Edge: Reeded

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