The 2001 American Buffalo silver dollar is not just a commemorative that has done extremely well in terms of price; it is also a fascinating issue that has more than its share of interesting aspects to consider. It leaves wide open the question of whether what worked for the American Buffalo dollar can be repeated or not.
It would be safe to suggest that the proposal for the American Buffalo dollar to use the famous James Earle Fraser Buffalo nickel design left some uncertain. Yes, the design is a popular one. In fact, it’s so popular it’s been used again on a 1-ounce bullion coin which gives it the unusual distinction of having been used on a copper-nickel 5-cent coin, a silver dollar and a gold coin.
Of course, dusting off old designs does not please everyone. After all, it does suggest that no one since 1913 can draw a buffalo or a Native American. Of course, classics never go out of style.
Both sides of the debate had their points, but the real issue was how well the American Buffalo dollar would sell, drawing on a 1913 design. In the balance were funds for the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian.
The American Buffalo dollar was priced at $37 for a proof in the regular period while a BU in the regular period was $32. In the pre-order discount period, the proof had been $33 while the BU was $30. There were also 2-cent sets and a coinage and currency set and, while everyone waited…
Source: numismaticnews
