??"First Strike"??  2006 $50 Gold American Buffalo Can it be Proven??

The U.S. mint released new 24k proof and bullion American Buffalo gold coins in 2006. There are many listed on ebay as "first strike" American Buffalo gold coin mint. Some sell on ebay for as much as $2,000.00.Yet the US mint never released any coin as a "first strike" coin. Buyers need to be aware of each dealers or grading services definition of "first strike" before purchasing such coins. (United States Mint).

The United States mint does not track the order in which coins are minted at what time, and has not designated any such 2006 $50 American Buffalo gold coin as "first strike". All Buffalo Gold coins minted including first minted off of a particular press are included in regular inventory, they are not individually identified. (United States Mint)

Sets and dies are replaced periodically when a set no longer meets the quality standards of the U.S. mint. In short, this means that there are numerous coins throughout a production period of a particular coin that could be considered "first strike". However, as stated above these coins are never individually identified, therefore no 2006 $50 buffalo coin can really be called a "first strike" coin and be worth more for that reason. Seriously!!!!  Just take a look at how many are for sale. Just seeing how many "First Strike $50 Gold Buffalos are out there for sale should help you realize they are not worth what sellers are selling them for!!!  The U.S. mint begins production well before release date. Dates on shipping boxes do not reflect date of manufacture. The date on the box simply means the date the box was packed, counted, and sealed.(United States Mint)

American Buffalo commemorative silver dollar coin and its replica

Also, consumers should be aware of the American Buffalo commemorative silver dollar coin replicas that are out there for sale. These replicas are not minted nor endorsed by the U.S. mint. There are differences that one can pinpoint to choose an authentic coin.(United States Mint) 

First of all the genuine US mint American Buffalo silver dollar coin entales the inscription "IN GOD WE TRUST" near the upper portion of the coin, above the buffalos back, and E PLURIBUS UNUM under the buffalos head. The replica does not. (United States Mint)

Also the coin produced by the US mint includes the official denomination of the coin "ONE DOLLAR" appearing below the buffalo in contrast to the replicas inscription of "GIANT BUFFALO PROOF". (United States Mint)

As with many authentic United States mint coins, the American buffalo commemorative silver dollar possesses a mint mark below the denomination, a (P) mark that shows that it was minted in Philadelphia. Also the authentic US silver buffalo dollar entales a "F" for Fraser, the artist of the coin. The replica does not. (United States Mint)

The mintage year "2001" on the silver buffalo produced by the US mint is desplayed on the Native American side, however, the replicas year is located below the buffalo. (United States Mint)

These replicas are not genuine U.S. coins and are not sponsered or endorsed by the U.S. government. If you feel the silver buffalo coin you have purchased is not a genuine US mint buffalo silver dollar, you should note any of these differences and visit the United States mint pressroom and tips on identifying US coins for additoinal information via the internet.(United States Mint)

All in all consumers need to be aware of what they are buying and do research at times. Like myself I first thought this "first strike" buffalo gold coin was a rarity until I did a bit of research. These differences in these replicas and several others and all information you have just read can be found at the web site for the United States Mint.

P.S please take a moment and let me know if this guide was helpful by clicking on the was this guide helpful at the bottom of the screen. Thank you and safe bidding!