Coins - American Buffalo Coin and Currency Set

In 2001, the US Mint packaged an uncirculated commemorative silver dollar coin, two mint condition stamps and a replica currency in the American Buffalo Coin and Currency Set in a colorful sleeved case. Per a press release dated May 21, 2001 from the US Mint, the American Buffalo Coinage and Currency Set would be limited to 50,000. 

The coin set included an Uncirculated 2001 American Buffalo Commemorative Silver Dollar coin, a Mint Condition 1987 10¢ Red Cloud United States Postage Stamp, a Mint Condition 2001 21¢ Bison United States Postage Stamp and a Series 1899 $5 Indian Chief Silver Certificate replica currency.

The coin set's package design shows Indian motifs of bead work and an elkhide painting. On the left, the bead work emulates detail from an Ojibwe bandolier bag. To the right, the details of Indians, horses and buffalo originated in an elkhide painting by George Washakie, Shoshone, depicting the Sundance Ceremony. The original bandolier bag and the elkhide painting can be found in the collection of the National Museum of the American Indian. 

When opened, the coin set's package consists of the outer sleeve, a ten page booklet and the coin and currency set. All three components of the coin set have the same front cover - both the title and the artistry.

Click on the picture at left to access the purchase information for the American Buffalo Coin and Currency set

The coin package opens with descriptive text on the left and the coin and one of the stamps on the right.

On the left, "The Wealth of Nations" describes money and its many forms. "Wampum" is explained along with its uses.

The right side shows the obverse of the Uncirculated 2001 American Buffalo Commemorative Silver Dollar coin along with the Mint Condition 1987 10¢ Red Cloud United States Postage Stamp.

The American Buffalo Commemorative Silver Dollar coin's design replicates that of the Buffalo Nickel by James Earle Fraser. The obverse used his design for the American Indian which he based on three individuals: Iron Tail, an Oglala Lakota; Two Moons, a Cheyenne; and Big Tree, a Kiowa. 

Fully unfolded, the coin package shows the currency replica, the reverse of the coin and the second stamp.

At the top, the coin package holds the reverse of the American Buffalo commemorative silver dollar coin and the Mint Condition 2001 21¢ Bison United States Postage Stamp.

Click on the picture at left to access the purchase information for the American Buffalo Coin and Currency set

The reverse of the American Buffalo Commemorative Silver Dollar coin used the reverse design of the Buffalo Nickel. For his design, James Earle Fraser observed Black Diamond, a bison at the Central Park Zoo in New York City.

In explaining his use of the buffalo for the coin's reverse design, the US Mint quotes Mr. Fraser as saying, "I made sure to use none of the attributes that other nations had used in the past. And, in my search for symbols, I found no motif within the boundaries of the United States so distinctive as the American buffalo."

For this set, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing made a replica Series 1899 $5 Indian Chief Silver Certificate currency. This currency note, shown below, was the only issue of United States paper money to feature an American Indian. The gentleman on the currency was Ta-to-ka-in-yna-ka also known as Running Antelope of the Hunkpapa Lakota Tribe. This series 1899 currency was in use from 1899 until 1923.

The back cover of the coin package shows the "Indians Hunting the Bison" and engraving with aquatint.

The Mint also included an explanatory insert showing how to reposition the coin if necessary:

The outer sleeve includes the Certificate of Authenticity for the 2001 American Buffalo Commemorative Silver Dollar coin and for the Five Dollar, Series 1899 Silver Certificate replica currency. The certificate was signed by the directors current at that time: Jay W. Johnson, Director of the Mint, and Thomas A Ferguson, Director of Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

Click here: American Buffalo Coin and Currency Set Booklet for information on the contents of the booklet included with the coin and currency set.

The 2001 American Buffalo Coin and Currency Set resurrects coinage history by recreating the iconic buffalo nickel design on a commemorative silver dollar coin. The set also honors our native American people with images on money and stamps and also provides historical information about their life. The coin and currency set is both beautiful and informative.

Click on the picture at left to access the purchase information for the American Buffalo Coin and Currency set