Gold is a prestigious metal that gives your portfolio a tangible asset, a hedge against inflation, and depicts craftsmanship brilliance. These popular US Mint gold coins exhibit salient features that spark a never-ending debate about which is better: Gold Buffalo vs Gold Eagle.
Each coin has its history and heritage but in different styles. The gold content, quality, design, popularity, and accessibility of these beautiful coins can put you in a dilemma about which coin to choose.
A Quick Summary: Gold Buffalo vs Gold Eagle
| 1. Gold Purity | 99.99% Pure Gold 24 Karat Gold |
91.67% 22 Karat Gold |
| 2. Design | Classic Indian Head design – inspired by James Earle Fraser’s Buffalo Nickel. Reverse: American Buffalo (bison) on a mound, inspired by Black Diamond. |
1) 1986–2021: Lady Liberty with a torch and olive branch by Saint-Gaudens. 2) 2021–Present: Enhanced Lady Liberty with added details. Reverse: 1) 1986–2021: Family of eagles with a male eagle flying above, designed by Miley Busiek. 2) 2021–Present: Close-up bald eagle profile by Jennie Norris. |
| 3. Minting & Legal Tender | Produced by the United States Mint since 2006. Available only in 1 oz. Legal tender in the United States. Face value: $50 (1 oz). |
Produced by the United States Mint. – First issued in 1986. – Available in four denominations: 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz. Legal tender in the United States. Face values range from $5 (1/10 oz) to $50 (1 oz). |
| 4. Popularity & Market Demand | Highly sought after for its purity and design. Strong market presence, especially among collectors and investors. |
Widely recognized and trusted, especially in the United States. High demand in the U.S. and globally. |
| 5. Price & Premiums | Premiums vary – high due to the coin’s high gold content and collector demand. Premiums Range: $92–$254 (Varies as per Market Conditions) |
Generally carries higher premiums due to its popularity, demand, and status as the official U.S. gold bullion coin. Premiums Range: $91–$164 (Varies as per Market Conditions) |
Gold Purity and Content
American Gold Buffalo
Struck in the finest .9999 (99.99%) gold since its introduction in 2006. No other metals are alloyed because the coin is struck in 24k gold.
American Gold Eagle
Since its introduction in 1986, the American Gold Eagle contains gold (Au) of .9167 (91.67%) purity with .03 (3%) Silver (Ag) and .0533 (5.33%) Copper (Cu).
Considering gold purity and content, the American Gold Buffalo has the upper hand in the Gold Buffalo vs Eagle Gold Bullion debate.
Design and Aesthetics
American Gold Buffalo
The design has remained unchanged since its introduction in 2006. The American buffalo is inspired by the ‘Indian Head’ or ‘Buffalo Nickel’ designed by James Earle Fraser. The obverse features an effigy of a Native American chieftain with “LIBERTY” and the year inscribed.
The reverse depicts an American buffalo or Bison on a mound, initially inspired by the Black Diamond, a bison from New York’s Central Park Zoo. The inscriptions include the US Mottos, country of issue, and identifying marks. This design is also regarded as Fraser’s 1913 Buffalo Nickel Type 1 design among investors and collectors.
American Gold Eagle
Augustus Saint Gaudens’ Lady Liberty has been portrayed on the obverse since 1986. In 2021, the US Mint refreshed this design with enhanced details to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the American Eagle Coin Program.
The reverse features the American bald eagle’s design as Type 1 by Miley Busiek (1986-2021), displaying a family of eagles, and Type 2 design by Jennie Norris (2021-Present), depicting the closeup effigy of an Eagle.
Minting and Legal Tender
American Gold Buffalo
American gold buffalo coins are also a legal tender in the US and are eligible for an Individual Retirement Account (Gold IRA) as they meet the approval criteria. They are available in only 1 troy oz coins in the denomination of $50.
As of March 2024, the US Mint had minted 66,500 Buffalo coins. In 2023, 387,000 Buffalo coins were struck. Proof versions were also minted, totaling 14,007 coins in 2023.
American Gold Eagle
American gold eagle coins have legal tender status in the US and are precious metals IRA-approved. They are available in various weights, such as 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz, with denominations ranging from $5 (1/10 oz) to $50 (1 oz).
In 2023, 924,000 1 oz American gold eagles were minted. The US Mint also produces proof and uncirculated versions of the gold Eagle that carry the West Point “W” mint mark.
Popularity and Market Demand
American Gold Buffalo
Gold Buffalo is an investor and collector favorite because of its purity, market demand, rarity, and historical significance. Its low accessibility results from limited mintage and weight variants.
American Gold Eagle
Safe Haven, impeccable design, high security, and value are synonyms for the American gold eagle coins. Investors and collectors prefer them for their weight variants and design, as they favor all investment budgets and objectives. With .9167 purity and high mintage, they have excellent accessibility and lower premiums.
Price and Premiums
American Gold Buffalo
The American Gold Buffalo prices depend more on its pure gold content, which increases its premiums and makes it more valuable. Undoubtedly, the gold spot price plays a crucial role. Its premiums on the spot price can go as high as 10.03%.
The premium on the 2024 Gold Buffalo ranges from $97 to $252, based on the current gold spot price of $2517.42 per ounce, making the prices range from $2,635.80 to $2,769.89 (as of August 2024). Premiums may fluctuate from dealer to dealer.
American Gold Eagle
The price of the American gold eagle includes the current spot price of gold per ounce with the respective merchant (bullion dealer) premiums. The gold spot price is the current market price of one ounce of gold, which fluctuates and is constantly updated.
The dealer premiums, which include charges for distribution, handling, packaging, and other aligned factors, range from $95 to $164 (as of August, 2024) for the 2024 1 oz American Gold Eagle . Premiums may fluctuate from dealer to dealer.
In the Gold Buffalo vs Gold Eagle bullion debate, the American Gold Eagle is seen as the better choice in terms of premiums and accessibility.
Final Thoughts – What Should You Choose?
Gold Bullion is an excellent way to begin your precious metals investment journey. With a wide array of options, choosing the right bullion is a matter of personal preferences, investment objectives, and budget. Still, this ongoing contention exists among the most prominent and secure bullion options: Gold Buffalo vs Eagle Gold Bullion.
This article provides the precise factors and differences between the American Gold Eagles and Gold Buffalos to help you make your investment decision! At the end of the day, both coins are US Mint’s profound creations exhibiting value, historical significance, and numerous investment benefits.
With BOLD, you can get these coins at the lowest premiums and vintage coins graded from NGC or PCGS with our confidence and assurance of over nine years of industrial experience.
Explore the American Gold Eagles and Gold Buffalos at our easy-to-navigate website to diversify your portfolio and collection.