Graded Gold Buffaloes (BU) overview
Graded Gold Buffaloes (BU) brings together certified Brilliant Uncirculated examples of the American Gold Buffalo — the United States Mint's flagship 24-karat gold coin series, first issued in 2006.
Updated June 2026
Graded Gold Buffaloes (BU)
Graded Gold Buffaloes (BU) brings together certified Brilliant Uncirculated examples of the American Gold Buffalo — the United States Mint's flagship 24-karat gold coin series, first issued in 2006. Each coin in this category has been graded and encapsulated by a recognized third-party grading service (PCGS or NGC), with numeric grades typically ranging from MS-69 to MS-70, providing a standardized, objective assessment of surface quality and strike. The American Gold Buffalo is struck in .9999 fine (24-karat) gold, making it one of the purest gold coins produced by a sovereign mint. The obverse reproduces James Earle Fraser's iconic Native American portrait and the reverse his American bison design — imagery originally introduced on the 1913 Buffalo Nickel. The standard issue is the 1 troy oz denomination with a $50 face value, though the U.S. Mint has periodically offered fractional sizes (½ oz, ¼ oz, and 1/10 oz) in select years. On CoinDuffle, this category spans multiple production years from 2006 to the present, with listings from a range of vetted dealers offering coins in various certified grades. Buyers will find both raw-to-slab upgrades and coins graded directly from original Mint packaging, across the MS-69 and MS-70 grade points that dominate the certified BU population. Whether sourcing a specific date for a year-set registry, filling a grade-run, or adding a high-grade example to a type collection, this page covers the breadth of certified BU Gold Buffalo inventory available on the marketplace.
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About Graded Gold Buffaloes (BU)
Graded Gold Buffaloes (BU) brings together certified Brilliant Uncirculated examples of the American Gold Buffalo — the United States Mint's flagship 24-karat gold coin series, first issued in 2006. Each coin in this category has been graded and encapsulated by a recognized third-party grading service (PCGS or NGC), with numeric grades typically ranging from MS-69 to MS-70, providing a standardized, objective assessment of surface quality and strike.
The American Gold Buffalo is struck in .9999 fine (24-karat) gold, making it one of the purest gold coins produced by a sovereign mint. The obverse reproduces James Earle Fraser's iconic Native American portrait and the reverse his American bison design — imagery originally introduced on the 1913 Buffalo Nickel. The standard issue is the 1 troy oz denomination with a $50 face value, though the U.S. Mint has periodically offered fractional sizes (½ oz, ¼ oz, and 1/10 oz) in select years.
On CoinDuffle, this category spans multiple production years from 2006 to the present, with listings from a range of vetted dealers offering coins in various certified grades. Buyers will find both raw-to-slab upgrades and coins graded directly from original Mint packaging, across the MS-69 and MS-70 grade points that dominate the certified BU population. Whether sourcing a specific date for a year-set registry, filling a grade-run, or adding a high-grade example to a type collection, this page covers the breadth of certified BU Gold Buffalo inventory available on the marketplace.
Frequently asked questions
BU stands for Brilliant Uncirculated, indicating a coin that has never entered circulation and retains its original mint luster. For certified Gold Buffaloes in this category, BU coins carry a Mint State (MS) numeric grade — most commonly MS-69 or MS-70 — assigned by a third-party grading service such as PCGS or NGC. The grade reflects strike sharpness, surface preservation, and eye appeal under standardized conditions.
American Gold Buffaloes are struck in .9999 fine gold — 24-karat purity — making them among the purest gold coins issued by a major sovereign mint. The standard denomination is 1 troy oz with a $50 face value. In select years, the U.S. Mint has also produced fractional versions in ½ oz, ¼ oz, and 1/10 oz sizes, though the 1 oz coin remains by far the most widely collected and traded.
The American Gold Buffalo series began in 2006, so certified BU examples span from 2006 through the current production year. Availability of specific dates varies by dealer inventory; earlier dates and any years with lower mintage figures tend to appear less frequently in the secondary market. This page reflects current dealer listings across the full date range of the series.
Both grades denote Brilliant Uncirculated coins, but MS-70 represents a perfect specimen with no post-production blemishes visible under 5× magnification, while MS-69 allows for minor imperfections such as small contact marks or slight strikes softness. MS-70 coins command a meaningful premium over MS-69 examples of the same date and are the top grade attainable on the standard 70-point Sheldon scale.
A graded Gold Buffalo has been submitted to and encapsulated by a professional third-party grading service — most commonly PCGS or NGC — which assigns a numeric grade and seals the coin in a tamper-evident holder (slab). A raw coin has not undergone this process and is sold without a certified grade. Certified coins offer a universally recognized grade standard useful for registry sets, trading, and collection documentation.