Buffalo Nickel Design 1 oz .999 Fine Silver Round
Coin/Bullion (Bullion Round) · Private Mint generic issue (e.g., Sunshine Minting, SilverTowne, or Golden State Mint); these are non-governmental private mints that specialize in investment-grade bullion.
Pattern: Buffalo / Indian Head, based on James Earle Fraser's 1913 Nickel design; a perennial favorite in the bullion industry.
Type
Coin/Bullion (Bullion Round)
Maker
Private Mint generic issue (e.g., Sunshine Minting, SilverTowne, or Golden State Mint); these are non-governmental private mints that specialize in investment-grade bullion.
Material
.999 Fine Silver; contains 1 troy ounce of pure silver with no base metal content.
Dimensions
Diameter: approximately 39mm; Thickness: approx 2.8mm; Weight: 31.1 grams (1 Troy Ounce).
Description
A lustrous 1 oz silver round paying homage to the classic American Buffalo Nickel. The obverse depicts a stoic Native American profile with textured feathers in his hair, set against a modern radial line field that catches the light beautifully. This item is not legal tender but is a highly liquid form of physical silver investment favored for its purity and iconic imagery.
Key Features
James Earle Fraser design, radial line 'sunburst' background for security, .999 purity stamp (on reverse), and reeded edge.
Material & Composition
.999 Fine Silver; contains 1 troy ounce of pure silver with no base metal content.
Finish & Decoration
Satin and proof-like finish with radial sunburst lines in the background; features a raised relief (repoussé style) of a Native American chieftain and the word LIBERTY.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Usually stamped on the reverse with '.999 FINE SILVER' and '1 TROY OUNCE'; the obverse shown features the 'LIBERTY' inscription at 2 o'clock.
Construction Details
Machine-struck using high-pressure industrial coin presses and hardened steel dies; die-struck bullion production.
Functional Features
Investment vehicle for precious metal storage; reeded edges to prevent shaving/clipping of the metal.
Handle & Grip Details
N/A; typically held by the edges to prevent skin oils from causing toning on the mirrored surfaces.
Craftsmanship Details
Industrial quality strike; high-detail die engraving with clean rim edges and uniform thickness; evidence of modern high-speed mechanical striking rather than hand-wrought work.
Authentication Indicators
Sharpness of the radial lines, consistent diameter and thickness, and 'ring' test resonance. Note: must be weighed and checked for non-magnetic properties to ensure it is not a silver-plated copper counterfeit.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States; produced in private domestic mints using automated high-speed minting traditions.
Era & Period
Modern Bullion Era (Late 20th Century to Present); based on the 1913-1938 US coinage design.
Age Estimate
Modern production, likely circa 2010-2024, based on the radial line background commonly used for anti-counterfeiting in recent years.
Cultural Significance
Symbolizes the American West and the heritage of Indigenous peoples; represents the shift from circulating silver currency to private bullion hoarding for wealth preservation.
Condition Notes
Very Good to Excellent (BU - Brilliant Uncirculated); showing minor 'bag marks' and soft handling scratches on the face, with typical oxidation/tarnish starting at the rim.
Value Estimate
Spot price of silver plus a small premium ($2.00 - $5.00 USD); total value fluctuates daily based on the COMEX silver market.
Care & Maintenance
Store in PVC-free plastic capsules or tubes; avoid touching faces with bare hands; use a soft cotton cloth or tarnish-removing dip only if necessary, though most collectors prefer the original patina.
Similar Pieces
US Mint Silver Buffalo (Legal Tender $1 Coin), SilverTowne Buffalo Round (different mint mark), and the original 1913-1938 Cupro-Nickel five-cent piece.
Interesting Facts
The original 1913 nickel profile was a composite of three different Native American men: Iron Tail (Sioux), Two Moons (Cheyenne), and Big Tree (Kiowa).