Description
The signing of Public Law 106-375 on October
27, 2000 authorized the United States Mint to produce coins
commemorating the opening of the National Museum of the American Indian
of the Smithsonian Institute.
Design
The American Buffalo Silver Dollar portrays a
profile representation of an American Indian on its obverse. The word
"LIBERTY" arcs in front of the American Indian's face. The date appears
across his lower neck.
The reverse features a bison above whom rests the words 'UNITED '
STATES ' OF ' AMERICA' and the motto 'IN GOD WE TRUST'. 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, was a student of another famous
sculptor, Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Saint-Gaudens designed the $20
Saint-Gaudens gold coin, widely considered to be the most beautiful
American coin ever minted. Fraser's last initial, 'F', was retained for
this design and can be found located underneath the date.
Minting Information
The United States Mint struck only
500,000 of these coins and they sold out of the issue in just two short
weeks. Supplies are limited. Originally offered to the general public
at $33 per coin, they have traded in the secondary market for over $100
each.
| Detailed Coin Information |
| Designer: James Earle Fraser |
| Gross Weight: 26.73g |
Silver Content: 0.77344 oz. |
| Composition: 90% silver, 10% alloy |
| Diameter: 1.5 in. |
| Date: 2001 |
| Mints: Denver (Uncirculated), Philadelphia (Proof) |
