The spectacular artistry behind the U.S. Mint’s 1 oz Gold American Buffalo Coin originated in 1904, when President Theodore Roosevelt made it his quest and legacy to lead the movement to glorify and beautify United States coinage. This period of U.S. history, known as the American Renaissance, was a cultural and artistic movement that emerged in the late 19th century and peaked in the early 20th century. It was a time of renewed national pride, coupled with a desire to identify with Greek and Roman antiquity and to emulate their heroic aesthetics. This movement profoundly influenced the design of the Gold Buffalo Coin, emphasizing heroic aesthetics and national pride. Americana, a key element of the Renaissance, was represented by the America’s Plains Indian and American Bison, further romanticized in Wild West Shows.
Roosevelt used his influence to secure the most renowned American sculptor of the day, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, to design ‘his’ gold coinage, including the iconic Double Eagle coin in 1907. Following these successful collaborations, the U.S. Mint commissioned Saint-Gaudens’ talented understudy, James Earle Fraser, for the Indian Head Nickel project in 1911. Fraser, a sculptor celebrated for his Western heritage sculptures, brought his distinct artistic flair to the new coin.
At just 17 years of age, Fraser first sculpted one of the most remarkable and somewhat controversial Native American images of all time, the ‘End of The Trail. ‘ This sculpture, which some criticized, claiming it looked like a shamed, defeated Indian, was a bold artistic statement. However, Fraser’s inspiration is understood to be a criticism of the government’s treatment of the Native Americans. Fraser’s appreciation for Native American culture was deeply rooted in his childhood, when, at four years of age, his family moved to the Dakotas. There, he gained a lifelong appreciation for wildlife and the Native Americans he befriended. His design for the Indian Head Nickel, first issued in 1913, drew from these experiences, symbolizing the rugged beauty of the American West.
The Buffalo Nickel and Buffalo Gold Coins’ legendary Indian Head image on the face and American Buffalo on the reverse were championed by Fraser. He insisted both subjects were highly representative of American heritage and pride. The U.S. Mint elected to use both images to introduce its pure gold bullion coin in 2006, as it remains today. It’s worth noting that while commonly referred to as a buffalo, the animal depicted on the coin is actually an American Bison. Buffalos are native to Africa and Asia, not the western continents. The mistaken identity stems from the confusion of early settlers, who had little knowledge of the European Bison, with Latin/French origins of “wild ox.” And of course, American Indians are not inhabitants of India, mistakenly so because explorer Christopher Columbus was on an expedition to find a westward route to India.
Fraser’s striking reliefs of the Native American and American Bison were aesthetically impactful and beautifully accomplished. So much so that the public soon became preoccupied with knowing who the models were for these historic artworks. In truth, Frazer used at least three subjects for the face, including a Sioux named Iron Tail and a Cheyenne named Two Moons. The third model is believed to be the Kiowa leader, Big Tree. Some historians suggest there may be one other named Two Guns White Calf, chief of the Piegan Blackfeet. Though many consider a bison named Black Diamond to be the subject of the ‘buffalo,’ Fraser claims to have studied bison at the Bronx Zoo, where Black Diamond never resided.
All said, without a doubt, the historic conception of the buffalo coins and their magnificent artistry are spectacular and will be highly appreciated for generations. Seeing the famed Indian Head Buffalo Nickel imagery exquisitely highlighted in pure 24k gold is truly breathtaking. To add the spectacular and historically significant Gold Buffalo Coin to your investment portfolio, contact Monex today.
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