Numismatic

2012-W 1 oz Proof Gold Buffalo PF-70 NGC (ER/FR)

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In 2012, the West Point Mint produced a striking tribute to one of America's most celebrated circulating coin designs. Struck in one troy ounce of exceptionally pure 0.9999 fine gold, this fifty-dollar sovereign coin features a proof finish, which gives the fields a mirror-like quality and the raised details a frosted appearance. The United States government backs this coin, which had a total mintage of 19,715 pieces for the year. The obverse displays a powerful portrait of a Native American, a design originally created by James Earle Fraser for the circulating five-cent piece first introduced in 1913. The word LIBERTY is inscribed clearly along the upper right rim, while the year 2012 and the West Point mintmark, a letter W, appear on the lower left. Fraser's initial, an F, is also visible beneath the date. On the reverse, a magnificent American bison stands in profile, adapted from the same historic nickel design. This coin bridges the gap between early twentieth-century artistic excellence and modern minting technology, offering a beautiful look at a classic piece of American numismatic art.