2009 American Gold Buffalo Bullion Coins were on fire for the short period they were available. The United States Mint released the one-ounce, 24 karat gold coins on Oct. 15. Within five days 71,500 were sold, which represented nearly 42 percent of 2008’s total.
Although the sales pace later cooled compared to the opening numbers, the amount that left US Mint doors in either October or November turned out to be greater than any single month in 2007 or 2008. And by Dec. 4, the Buffalos sold out.
In the end, 200,000 Buffalo gold coins were purchased in 2009, topping 2007 and 2008 sales.
US Mint authorized dealers would have bought more, but no more were to be had.
"The United States Mint has depleted its inventory of 2009 American Buffalo One Ounce Gold Bullion Coins," U.S. Mint Director of Public Affairs Tom Jurkowsky said in announcing their sellout. "No additional inventory will be made available."
The following table shows the monthly and annual sales of the coins since they were first issued:
American Buffalo Bullion Coin Sales Figures: 2006 – 2009
| 2006 Gold Buffalo | 2007 Gold Buffalo | 2008 Gold Buffalo | 2009 Gold Buffalo | |
| January | 0 | 14,000 | 21,500 | 0 |
| February | 0 | 37,500 | 6,000 | 0 |
| March | 0 | 28,000 | 15,000 | 0 |
| April | 0 | 6,500 | 13,000 | 0 |
| May | 0 | 4,500 | 5,500 | 0 |
| June | 99,500 | 5,500 | 5,500 | 0 |
| July | 117,500 | 5,500 | 9,500 | 0 |
| August | 22,000 | 13,000 | 34,500 | 0 |
| September | 33,500 | 8,500 | 36,000 | 0 |
| October | 21,500 | 5,000 | 0 | 116,500 |
| November | 10,000 | 15,500 | 25,500 | 67,500 |
| December | 19,000 | 24,000 | 0 | 16,000 |
| Total | 323,000 | 167,500 | 172,000 | 200,000 |
The Coin Sales Figures page Gold American Buffalo Bullion Coin Sales Figures has also been updated. It contains a graphical chart of sales, along with historical information on 2009 events.
Both the obverse and reverse of the American Buffalo Gold are the same basic design that first appeared on the 1913 circulating nickel, commonly known by most as either the "Indian Head Nickel" or the "Buffalo Nickel." This classic coin is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful ever produced by the US Mint and ran until 1938, when it is discontinued in favor of the Thomas Jefferson design.
The obverse has a portrait of a Native American, said to be a composite of three Indian chiefs. Many have claimed to be one of those three models, but only two were ever verified by the artist James Earle Fraser; Cheyenne Chief Two Moons and Lakota Sioux Chief Iron Tail.
The reverse contains an image of an American buffalo, also known as a bison. It is believed by many to be modeled after the creature named "Black Diamond" who lived in the New York City Zoo.
The US Mint sells bullion gold coins for a small amount over the current spot price of gold, but only to authorized purchasers. The authorized purchasers in turn resell the coins to coin dealers, precious metal providers and/or directly to the public.
The US Mint also offers a numismatic or collector American Buffalo Gold Proof Coins. These are sold directly to the public.
For more information, also see the Mint page dedicated to the series at http://usmint.gov/mint_programs/buffalo24k/.