The United States Mint debuted the American Gold Buffalo in 2006 as its first annual 24-karat gold bullion coin. The series brought back James Earle Fraser’s well-known designs from the 1913 Buffalo Nickel, pairing a strong portrait with a classic bison image. While the program is best known for its 1 oz releases, 2008 marked the only year the mint struck fractional-ounce Gold Buffalos. Right now, near-perfect 2008-W 4-Coin Proof American Gold Buffalo Sets are available from BullionMax.

Coin Highlights:

• Comes with individual plastic slabs for each coin!
• 3rd issue of Proof Gold Buffalos!
• 1st-and-only issue of fractional-ounce Gold Buffalos!
• Limited original mintage of only 7,803 sets!
• Contains 1.85 troy oz of .9999 pure gold in total.
• The individual face values in US Dollars (USD) are backed by the US government.
• Graded PF69 by the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation.
• UCAM designation.
• On the obverse is an indigenous portrait.
• The reverse features an American bison.
• W mint marks from the West Point Mint.

The Buffalo Nickel—also called the Indian Head nickel—arrived in 1913 and immediately stood out from the more decorative styles used on many earlier US coins. Sculptor James Earle Fraser created the design using a blended portrait of three Native American chiefs for the obverse, along with an American bison on the reverse. The bison is widely associated with Black Diamond from the Central Park Zoo in New York. Together, the images offered a clear shift toward American themes and a tribute to the frontier era that was rapidly fading from everyday life.

Each 2008-W 4-Coin Proof American Gold Buffalo Set includes four proof coins, with each piece secured in its own protective slab. The coins in these sets are graded PF69, meaning they show full proof quality and original mint appearance with no more than four small imperfections. Any minor marks must be tiny and kept away from the main design focal areas. The UCAM designation adds another layer of appeal, indicating strong contrast between frosted design elements and deeply mirrored fields. These sets feature a 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz Gold Buffalo Coin.

On the obverse of the 2008-W Proof American Gold Buffalo Coins is Fraser’s portrait of an indigenous figure. The design is believed to be inspired by three real leaders from the early 1900s, with Fraser combining features from each to create a single, memorable profile.

The reverse of the 2008-W Proof American Gold Buffalo Coins depicts the powerful bison known as Black Diamond. Shown in left-profile relief, the bison stands on a small mound, giving the scene a grounded and natural look that matches the theme of the original nickel design.

If you have any questions about these proof gold coins, please contact BullionMax. Call us at 800-729-3202, chat with us online, or email us directly.