Washington, D.C., May 29, 2001 – The United States Mint announced today it will begin selling its American Buffalo Commemorative Silver Dollar beginning June 7 at 9:00 A.M. (Eastern Time) and online at www.usmint.gov on June 11 at 12:00 Noon (Eastern Time). A maximum mintage of 500,000 American Buffalo Commemorative Coins have been authorized.

The American Buffalo Commemorative Silver Dollar recreates James Earle Fraser’s famous Buffalo nickel design that circulated from 1913 to 1938. The obverse depicts a profile of a Native American. The reverse features an American Buffalo—an important symbol for many Native Americans.

The American Buffalo Commemorative Coin is available as a proof silver dollar coin, an uncirculated silver dollar coin, as a two-coin set, or in The American Buffalo Coinage & Currency Set. The “Proof” coins will bear the Philadelphia mint mark; the “Uncirculated” coins will feature the Denver mint mark.

The American Buffalo Coinage & Currency Set, a limited-edition of only 50,000, contains the exquisite uncirculated version of the American Buffalo Commemorative Silver Dollar with the “D” mint mark for Denver. Also included is a replica of the 1899 $5 Silver Certificate featuring a likeness of Ta-to’-ka-in’-yna-ka, also known as Running Antelope, of the Sioux tribe. This is the only issue of U.S. paper money for which an American Indian was selected as the central feature. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) produced this beautifully detailed replica especially for this set. Signed Certificates of Authenticity are included for both the BEP’s engraving and the U.S. Mint’s silver dollar.

As a bonus, the American Buffalo Coinage & Currency Set includes two stamps relating to the obverse and the reverse of the new American Buffalo Commemorative Silver Dollar. The first is the brand new 21-cent Bison stamp issued by the United States Postal Service in March of this year. It features a dramatic, dark buffalo silhouetted against a brilliant sunset. The other relates to the Native American image on the coin’s obverse that James Earle Fraser based on three American Indians he used as models. The 10-cent stamp from the 1987 Great American Series features the respected warrior, diplomat and leader, Red Cloud, of the Ogalala Sioux, the largest of the Teton Sioux tribe. The set also includes a fascinating booklet featuring many beautiful images and historical facts about these items and the great American West.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each coin is authorized to help fund the opening of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) and will help supplement the museum’s endowment and education outreach funds.

American Buffalo Commemorative Coins are available at a pre-issue price, starting June 7 and ending July 25th. Each coin or coin set will come in standard Mint packaging.

The proof silver dollar is available during the pre-issue period for $33 and for $37 thereafter. The uncirculated silver dollar is available for the pre-issue price of $30 and $32 thereafter. During the pre-issue period, the Two-Coin Set is available for $59.95 and for $64.95 thereafter. The Coinage and Currency Set will be available for $54.95 during the pre-issue period and for $59.95 thereafter. To qualify for pre-issue discount prices, orders must be postmarked or received no later than July 25, 2001.

American Buffalo Commemorative Coins can be purchased by five ways: First, you can save shipping and handling charges by using the U.S. Mint's secure web site http://www.usmint.gov/catalog. Second, you can call 1-800-USA-MINT. Third, you may download an order form at the web site and fax it to (301) 918-2039. Fourth and fifth, you may request an order form from the Mint Customer Care Center at (202) 283-COIN, or download an order form at the web site, and mail it to the United States Mint, P.O. Box 382604, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-8604 (Attention: Order Processing). A shipping and handling fee of $3.95 per order will be added to all fax, mail, and telephone orders for these products. Hearing and speech-impaired customers may order by calling (301) 344-4144 TTY. Please allow approximately 4-6 weeks for delivery.