Numismatic

2008-W 1/10 oz Gold Buffalo MS-70 NGC (First Year of Issue)

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In 2008, the West Point Mint produced a highly unusual variation of its famous 24-karat gold series. This five-dollar coin contains one-tenth of an ounce of extremely pure, 0.9999 fine gold. Marked with a 'W' to indicate its origin at the West Point facility, this specific issue represents the only year that the United States government ever minted fractional sizes for the Gold Buffalo series, making it an exceptional curiosity for those studying modern American coinage. The design of the coin honors classic American numismatic art. The front features a detailed portrait of a Native American chieftain, a celebrated motif originally created in 1913. The word 'LIBERTY' and the year '2008' are clearly visible on this side. On the reverse, the coin depicts a massive American bison, modeled after a famous buffalo named Black Diamond who lived in the early twentieth century. This smaller, tenth-ounce coin carries the full backing of the United States government for its weight and purity.