There has been a lot of buzz lately about a new Buffalo proof coin that is supposedly being released by the U.S. Mint. But is this rumored coin real? Let’s take a closer look at the evidence.
What is the New Buffalo Proof Coin?
According to the rumors, the U.S. Mint is planning to release a special proof version of the popular American Buffalo gold coin in 2021. This new coin would have a higher purity of .9999 fine gold compared to the standard .9999 fine gold American Buffalo coin. The proof coin would also have more intricate details and a mirror-like surface finish.
Photos claiming to show the new proof Buffalo coin have been circulating online, helping to fuel speculation. Based on the photos, the alleged new coin has the same basic design as the existing American Buffalo coin, with a right-facing portrait of a Native American on the obverse and an American bison on the reverse. But the proof version appears to have more intricate detailing on the buffalo design.
Is there any official confirmation?
So far, the U.S. Mint has not made any official announcement about releasing a new Buffalo proof coin in 2021. The Mint’s website does not list any information about such a coin in their schedule of upcoming releases.
Additionally, major coin publications and news sites that normally report on U.S. Mint plans do not have any articles confirming the plans for a proof Buffalo coin as of yet.
The lack of official confirmation from the U.S. Mint or other major numismatic sources casts doubt on whether the rumored proof Buffalo coin actually exists.
Clues arguing for the coin’s legitimacy
However, there are some clues that suggest the new proof Buffalo coin could be real:
- The U.S. Mint sometimes does not publicly confirm new coin releases ahead of time, instead unveiling them as a surprise.
- The design details shown in the photos circulating online look legitimate and consistent with U.S. Mint quality.
- The American Buffalo gold coin series has not seen a major design change since its introduction in 2006, so the U.S. Mint may be planning an upgraded coin.
- The U.S. Mint has released other special Buffalo coins before, like the reverse proof American Buffalo in 2018.
The fact that the coin’s design looks professional and aligned with the U.S. Mint’s style lends credibility to the possibility that it is real. The U.S. Mint may just be keeping quiet about its plans for now.
Clues arguing against the coin’s legitimacy
However, there are also some details that cast doubt on the rumored proof coin:
- Reputable coin experts have not been able to confirm the coin’s existence when contacting their sources at the U.S. Mint.
- The U.S. Mint has not even officially acknowledged consideration of any new Buffalo coin.
- Photos can be faked and manipulated, so the coin images online may not be real.
- The U.S. Mint tends to stick to a predictable schedule of annual coin releases, so a surprise 2021 Buffalo coin seems odd.
The lack of any acknowledgment from the U.S. Mint makes it seem unlikely they are planning to release an upgraded proof Buffalo coin this year. And with modern technology, convincing photo fakes can easily be made.
Expert opinions are mixed
When coin experts have weighed in on the rumored 2021 proof Buffalo release, their opinions have been mixed:
- For: Coin dealer Jim Halperin of Texas-based Heritage Auctions says a 2021 Buffalo proof “wouldn’t surprise me.” He points to the previous sudden release of other coins like the 2015 Double Eagle and 2018 Palladium Eagle as precedent.
- Against: Respected coin writer Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez questioned the coin’s legitimacy in an article for CoinWeek. He could not find any U.S. Mint evidence supporting the coin’s existence.
- For: Industry analyst Jeff Garrett notes the U.S. Mint has been focused on increasing coin sales. He speculates a proof Buffalo could be a way to generate more revenue.
- Against: Editor Charles Morgan of CoinWeek sees “no indication that this coin is real.” He notes the lack of concrete supporting evidence.
With experts landing on both sides of the issue, the debate around the reality of a 2021 proof Buffalo release continues.
Possible motivations if the coin is fake
If the 2021 Buffalo proof coin turns out to not be real, there are a few possible motivations behind creating fake hype:
- Increasing traffic to websites – Fake coin news generates views and shares online.
- Boosting page rankings – Coin websites may be trying to game search algorithms with buzzy fake stories.
- Driving up coin demand – Speculation around a new coin release could bolster demand and prices for existing Buffalo coins.
- Part of a scam – Scammers could eventually sell counterfeit versions of the coin to misled buyers.
By fabricating news of a hypothetical new coin, some numismatic sites may be pursuing financial gain through various forms of deception.
Key takeaways on the potential 2021 proof Buffalo
Given all the currently available information, here are some key conclusions:
- There is no definitive proof that the rumored 2021 proof Buffalo coin exists.
- No announcement has been made by the U.S. Mint confirming the coin.
- Experts have differing opinions on the coin’s legitimacy.
- If real, the new coin would be an upgraded premium version of the classic Buffalo design.
- If fake, the buzz may be driven by websites hoping to profit through deception.
Until the U.S. Mint confirms the rumored coin, collectors should view reports of its existence with some skepticism. But given the precedents of surprise releases, the possibility of the coin being real cannot be entirely ruled out either.
The bottom line
While the prospect of a new 2021 proof American Buffalo gold coin is certainly exciting, the lack of concrete evidence from official sources suggests collectors should be cautious about accepting claims that such a coin actually exists. Until the U.S. Mint announces further details and provides collectors with reliable information about ordering and availability, the safe assumption is to consider the 2021 Buffalo proof to be speculative at best, and an unfounded rumor at worst.
Despite the convincing photos spreading online, savvy collectors understand that in today’s digital age, images can easily be faked. And with no vetted coin experts or publications able to verify the proof coin’s mintage details, there is simply too much uncertainty to put full faith in the 2021 Buffalo proof just yet. It is certainly possible that the U.S. Mint has this coin in development. But without official confirmation, the only prudent course is to wait for more reliable information before buying into the hype.
For the American Buffalo series, 2021 already has an exciting confirmed release in the form of the new American Buffalo bullion coin with the “W” West Point Mint privy mark. Collectors would certainly welcome an additional new proof Buffalo offering, but won’t be holding their breath just yet. If the U.S. Mint does surprise the numismatic community with an official announcement down the line, that will finally provide the validation needed to declare the 2021 proof Buffalo real.
Until then, cautious collectors will file this under intruiging speculation that merits watching, but not wholeheartedly believing without further evidence. If the coin does arrive, wonderful, but if not, it is safer not to bet money on its existence. By avoiding hasty assumptions and waiting patiently for U.S. Mint clarity, numismatists protect themselves and make space for potential surprise releases that live up to the standards of integrity and merit we should demand from our coins.