Numismatic

2016-W 1 oz Proof Gold Buffalo PF-70 NGC (FDI)

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The 2016 West Point Mint proof coin brings a celebrated chapter of American numismatic design into the modern era. Struck in one troy ounce of exceptionally pure 0.9999 fine gold, this fifty-dollar denomination piece represents the highest standard of precious metal purity backed by the United States government. On the front of the coin, a powerful profile of a Native American stands out in frosted proof contrast. This portrait is a direct tribute to the artwork created by James Earle Fraser for the famous 1913 Buffalo Nickel. The word LIBERTY and the year 2016 are clearly visible, alongside the W mintmark indicating its origin at the West Point facility. The reverse features a massive American bison, a design adapted from the classic twentieth-century nickel. Legend has it that the majestic animal used as the model for this illustration was Black Diamond, a famous resident of the Central Park Zoo. This combination of historic imagery and modern minting technology makes the coin a fascinating study in American heritage.