Commems Collection Modern: 2001 National Museum Of The American Indian - The Coin

The 2001 National Museum of the American Indian Silver Dollar (aka, the American Buffalo Silver Dollar), was one of the most popular releases of the modern United States ("US") commemorative coin series - and it continues to be popular with collectors today.

The obverse and reverse designs on the Silver Dollar are recreations of James Earle Fraser's designs for the Indian Head five-cent coin (i.e., Buffalo nickel) that was produced by the US Mint from 1913 through 1938.

The obverse features a right-facing portrait of a Native American. Fraser described the design as "a composite of three plains Indians - a Sioux, a Kiowa and a Cheyenne. The three Indians were Iron Tail, a Sioux, Big Tree, a Kiowa, and Two Moons, a Cheyenne."

2001 American Buffalo Silver Dollar - Obverse


The silver dollar's reverse is that of a bison standing on a mound. It is based on Black Diamond, a bison at the Central Park Menagerie (today known as the Central Park Zoo).

Note: Some references incorrectly state that Black Diamond was held at the Bronx Zoo - such references are inaccurate.

2001 American Buffalo Silver Dollar - Reverse


The authorized mintage limit for the Silver Dollar was 500,000 (Proof and Uncirculated combined; all options). It quickly sold out (in approximately two weeks), with 272,869 Proofs and 227,131 Uncirculated versions being issued.

The Proof Silver Dollar had a Pre-Issue price of $33 and a Regular Price of $37. Pricing for the Uncirculated Silver Dollar was set at $30 Pre-Issue and at $32 Regular.

Note: The Pre-Issue prices began on June 7, 2001 and were set to end on July 25, 2001. The quick sell-out of the coins, however, rendered this schedule moot - all coins sold were sold at the Pre-Issue price.


If you'd like to read about the Coin and Currency Set produced for the American Buffalo Silver Dollar, check out:

- 2001 American Buffalo Coin And Currency Set


For more of my stories about commemorative coins and medals, including other modern US commemorative coin stories, see: Commems Collection.