American Silver Buffalo
American Silver Buffalo Overview
This commemorative one-dollar coin was released to the public in June 7, 2001 and is made from 90 percent pure silver. The coin commemorated the opening of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian and money raised from the coin’s sales were used to supplement the ongoing educational and endowment fund for the museum. Uncirculated versions of these coins were minted at the Denver Mint and proof versions were minted at the Philadelphia Mint. The American Silver Buffalo was considered legal tender but was never circulated. Only 500,000 of these coins were minted and it had a short run, selling out on June 21, 2001.
American Silver Buffalo Design
Portrays a profile representation of an American Indian on its obverse. The word LIBERTY arcs in front of the American Indian’s face and the date appears across his lower neck. The reverse features a bison with the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the motto IN GOD WE TRUST, above. The phrase E PLURIBUS UNUM appears underneath the bison’s head. ONE DOLLAR sits at the bison’s feet. Both sides are modified versions of the Buffalo nickel, as designed by James Earle Fraser. Fraser, considered one of America’s finest sculptors and metallic artists, retained his last initial “F” for this design and it can be found located underneath the date.