Gold Coin

American Gold Buffalo Price Today

Live intrinsic value of the American Gold Buffalo based on real-time gold spot price. Updated every 60 seconds.

Coin Intrinsic Value
$4,512.47
Based on live spot price
Gold Spot Price
$4,512.92
Per troy oz
Typical Dealer Price
$4,648 – $4,783
Approx. 36% premium over spot

Understanding the Premium Over Spot

The intrinsic value above represents the pure gold content of the coin (1 troy oz at 99.99% purity). When you buy from a dealer, you will pay more — the premium over spot covers minting costs charged by United States Mint, authorized dealer margins, packaging, shipping, and insurance. For the American Gold Buffalo, typical dealer premiums range from 3% to 6% above spot, putting the street price at approximately $4,648–$4,783 at current spot prices.

American Gold Buffalo Specifications

Country of IssueUnited States
Minted ByUnited States Mint
Year Introduced2006
MetalGold
Purity99.99% (0.9999 fine)
Weight1 troy oz (31.10 g)
Diameter32.69 mm
Thickness2.95 mm
Annual Mintage~200,000–400,000 per year

About the American Gold Buffalo

The American Gold Buffalo holds the distinction of being the United States Mint's first ever .9999 fine gold coin, introduced in 2006 to meet investor demand for a 24-karat American gold coin. The design is a faithful reproduction of James Earle Fraser's iconic 1913 Buffalo Nickel, featuring a portrait of a Native American chief on the obverse and an American bison (buffalo) on the reverse. At .9999 fine gold, the Buffalo is purer than the American Gold Eagle's .9167 (22 karat) composition. It is IRS-eligible for Gold IRA accounts, exceeding the 99.5% purity threshold without the Eagle's congressional exception. The Gold Buffalo carries $50 legal tender face value. Due to its 24-karat purity, it is slightly softer than the Eagle and should be handled carefully. It is available only in the 1 oz size for bullion editions. The combination of American provenance and maximum purity makes it highly sought by serious gold investors.

Buy American Gold Buffalo
Current intrinsic value: $4,512.47 — dealer price approx. $4,648+
Shop on APMEX →

Affiliate disclosure: LiveMetalPrice.com may earn a commission when you purchase through this link. This does not affect our editorial content.

American Gold Buffalo FAQ

What is the difference between the American Gold Eagle and the American Gold Buffalo?+
The main difference is purity: the Buffalo is .9999 fine (99.99% gold, 24 karat) while the Eagle is .9167 fine (91.67% gold, 22 karat). Both are US government coins, both carry $50 face value, and both are IRA eligible. The Buffalo is purer but slightly more expensive due to higher gold content per coin at equal purity.
Why is the Gold Buffalo only available in 1 oz?+
The US Mint has authorized the Gold Buffalo only in the 1 oz bullion size since its introduction. Proof and collector editions are available in fractional sizes, but standard bullion Buffalos are 1 oz only.
Is the American Gold Buffalo IRA eligible?+
Yes. At .9999 fine, it exceeds the IRS 99.5% standard and is accepted by all major Gold IRA custodians — no special exception needed, unlike the Gold Eagle.
Whose likeness appears on the Gold Buffalo?+
The Native American portrait on the obverse is a composite of three chiefs: Iron Tail (Oglala Lakota), Two Moons (Cheyenne), and John Big Tree (Seneca), based on sculptor James Earle Fraser's original 1913 Buffalo Nickel design.

Related Gold Coins

American Gold Eagle
United States · 91.67% pure
View price →
Canadian Gold Maple Leaf
Canada · 99.99% pure
View price →
South African Krugerrand
South Africa · 91.67% pure
View price →