THE SHORT ANSWER
Use the Mint specification as an identity reference, not an authentication certificate
The standard one-ounce American Gold Buffalo is 99.99% gold, weighs 31.103 grams in the Mint's published specification, measures 32.70 millimeters in diameter, carries a $50 denomination and has a reeded edge. Correct measurements can support consistency; they cannot prove an individual coin genuine or unaltered.
SPECIFICATION RECORD
Preserve published values and their rounding
| Composition | 99.99% gold |
|---|---|
| Fine-gold content | 1.0000 troy ounce |
| Published weight | 31.103 grams |
| Diameter | 1.287 inches / 32.70 millimeters |
| Denomination | $50 |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Designer | James Earle Fraser |
| Design basis | 1913 Type I Buffalo nickel |
One troy ounce equals 31.1034768 grams for exact unit conversion, while the Mint product page displays 31.103 grams. Those statements serve different purposes; do not silently add precision to an official product specification.
DESIGN CHECK
Read inscriptions by side and by year
James Earle Fraser's profile appears on the obverse with LIBERTY and the year. The reverse carries the bison and the program inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, IN GOD WE TRUST, 1 OZ. .9999 FINE GOLD and $50. Special issues can add year-specific elements, so compare the exact date to an official record.
SAFE SCREENING
Measure without damaging potential collector value
- Confirm the exact year, bullion or proof finish and expected packaging before handling.
- Use a calibrated scale and non-marring dimensional tools with recorded resolution.
- Compare raw observations to the official value; do not round a mismatch into a pass.
- Use surface and interior methods only within their documented limits.
- Escalate conflicts to a qualified dealer, grading service or assayer before destructive testing.
The Gold Buffalo measurement preset reports deltas but deliberately returns no authenticity verdict.
PRIMARY GOVERNMENT SOURCES
Specifications and channels come from the United States Mint
- The U.S. Mint bullion program page supplies the standard one-ounce composition, weight, diameter, denomination, inscriptions and government-guarantee context.
- The American Buffalo program page documents the 2006 launch, James Earle Fraser design and proof collector-product relationship.
- The Mint's June 20, 2006 launch record preserves the original bullion-versus-proof channel, reverse inscriptions and one-ounce program boundary.
Sources reviewed July 31, 2026. Mint product availability, limits, pricing and authorized distribution terms can change. Verify the exact year, finish, product number and seller before transacting.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
American Gold Buffalo questions
What is the diameter of a one-ounce Gold Buffalo?
The U.S. Mint publishes 1.287 inches, or 32.70 millimeters.
Why does the Mint list 31.103 grams instead of 31.1034768 grams?
The Mint publishes a rounded product specification. GoldObserve preserves that published value and does not silently replace it with the exact troy-ounce conversion constant.
What should appear on the reverse?
The standard program page lists United States of America, E Pluribus Unum, In God We Trust, 1 oz. .9999 Fine Gold and $50.
Can correct measurements authenticate a Gold Buffalo?
No. Weight and diameter are consistency checks. Counterfeits, altered coins, test uncertainty and collector-value risks require additional evidence and professional judgment.