Question about the proof buffalos

SlvrandGld

Ok so Ive been wondering this for awhile and hope you guys can shed some light on this for me. Every year they make a new buffalo coin, do they make a completely new die from scratch, or just change the year on the dies? Each coin looks to be slightly unique from the previous years.

Dice21

I believe they simply change the die dates..........if not there would be varities of each year...........someone will correct me I'm sure if wrong

SlvrandGld

I was just comparing the 2006 to the 2011 and they look way different from each other. The indians hair has much crisper details on the 06 compared to the 2011. Buffalos face is also way more detailed on the 2006 compared to the 2011.

SlvrandGld

There must be some experts out there.

Raufus

I have at least one of every W unc and proof buff issued since '06. There are absolutely differences between the years. Some are differences in subtle details as perviously mentioned on this thread. Another difference is in the finish. The tone and character of the finish is different between years.

nwcoast

<< <i>I have at least one of every W unc and proof buff issued since '06. There are absolutely differences between the years. Some are differences in subtle details as perviously mentioned on this thread. Another difference is in the finish. The tone and character of the finish is different between years. >>



It might have been you that posted a series of photos a bit ago of several of the years.
Might want to refer to and study those photos for insight. It was a very cool thread and very interesting to see the differing characteristics side by side.
I liked them so much that I copied and pasted them for future drool- fests

Raufus

<< <i>

<< <i>I have at least one of every W unc and proof buff issued since '06. There are absolutely differences between the years. Some are differences in subtle details as perviously mentioned on this thread. Another difference is in the finish. The tone and character of the finish is different between years. >>



It might have been you that posted a series of photos a bit ago of several of the years.
Might want to refer to and study those photos for insight. It was a very cool thread and very interesting to see the differing characteristics side by side.
I liked them so much that I copied and pasted them for future drool- fests >>



I actually have a pretty nice macro photo set up for coins. Ironically, I've become totally frustrated in my efforts to post photos on this forum and long since gave up trying.

That said, not too long ago someone did post some fantastic photos of the various buffs. I think that this is what you're referring to. I think, but am not sure, that they are on Eric's epic Moderns Thread.

Best, R-

SlvrandGld

Nwcoast do you have anyway to link those photos your talking about?

nwcoast

<< <i>Nwcoast do you have anyway to link those photos your talking about? >>



I tracked down the thread from Jan 25. It was called My herd of Buffalos - gold that is
Unfortunately the links to the original authors photos have expired.
Their name is kimber45ACP
Looking back over my copies of the photos though my memory had failed me as there is only one year of Proofs in the mix.
There are though - several years of Gold Buffalos which my be of interest and comparison regardless.
If Kimber45 see's this thread perhaps they might be inclined to repost the photos.
They were EXCELLENT and interesting or I wouldn't have bothered copying them..
If Kimber doesn't repost them and you'd still like to see them I can repost them at your request.
I'll be sure to give the proper credits and disclaimers of course. Won't be ablt to do it until Monday though as I'm slammed for the rest of the weekend.
Cheers

SlvrandGld

I actually remember that thread it was fairly recent and i made a couple posts on it. I was kind of bummed to see the pictures were gone. Id love to see those pictures again maybe the original poster will see this or you can thow them up one or the other. Im still kind of leaning towards thinking the mint makes new dies. 2006 seems to stick out from the crowd as being the most different.

ricko

That was a great display of gold Buffs... I remember it well. I hope Kimber45ACP posts it again.... I have a recollection that I read somewhere that they make new dies each year.. could be wrong, it may have been someone's opinion. Will have to look into that... Cheers, RickO

notwilight

Gold is soft so dies will last longer on buffaloes but generally each issue of each year uses many dies. Modern die making technology allows them to all be essentially identical and generally varieties are not noted. --Jerry

PS The at satin finish on the devices seems to vary more from year to year than the details. Some years the details are stronger on the buffalo and the indian. --Jerry

nwcoast

I was hoping that kimber45ACP would see this and repost by popular demand.
Since there's been considerable interest in the comparative photos from that previous thread, I've taken the liberty to post them again. They were so nice that I did some basic scree captures so that I could admire them in the future. Unfortunately the screen captures won't have the quality of the original posts though.
These excellent photos were taken by kimber45ACP and are not to be used for commercial use......etc....
Enjoy...... "Herd of Buffalos- Gold that is"







As noted by kimber......the lighting and photo set-up was standardized. I find the differences between the years to be very interesting indeed. thank you kimber

SlvrandGld

Thanks nwcoast for bringing this back! This is really interesting. Anyone else that has some buffalo eye candy please post pictures!