The United States Mint frequently receives inquiries from
consumers who have confused coin-related products from private
companies with genuine U.S. coinage. This page includes up-to-date
information about these products. As we get inquiries from
the public we will add new information, so you may wish to
check this page periodically for updates.
"SILVER
SURFER" QUARTERS
The United States Mint has learned that 20th Century Fox
and The Franklin Mint are promoting the movie, "Fantastic
Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer," by placing a printed
image of the "Silver Surfer" character, along with
the movie's web address, on 40,000 California state commemorative
quarter-dollar coins, and releasing these coins into circulation.
This promotion is in no way approved, authorized, endorsed,
or sponsored by the United States Mint, nor is it in any way
associated or affiliated with the United States Mint.
Although the United States Mint does not have the authority
to enforce Federal criminal laws pertaining to the integrity
of U.S. coinage, one such law specifically addresses the use
of U.S. coinage for commercial advertising. The relevant statute
is 18 U.S.C. § 475, which states the following: 18 U.S.C.
§ 475. Imitating obligations or securities; advertisements.
Whoever designs, engraves, prints, makes, or executes, or
utters, issues, distributes, circulates, or uses any business
or professional card, notice, placard, circular, handbill,
or advertisement in the likeness or similitude of any obligation
or security of the United States issued under or authorized
by any Act of Congress or writes, prints, or otherwise impresses
upon or attaches to any such instrument, obligation, or security,
or any coin of the United States, any business or professional
card, notice, or advertisement, or any notice or advertisement
whatever, shall be fined under this title.
FINAL
REGUALTION ISSUED PROHIBITING THE EXPORTATION, MELTING, OR
TREATMENT OF UNITED STATES ONE-CENT AND 5-CENT COINS
On April 10, 2007, United States Mint Director Edmund Moy
approved a final rule that generally prohibits the exportation,
melting, or treatment of United States one-cent coins (pennies)
and 5-cent coins (nickels), which became effective upon publication
in the Federal Register on April 16, 2007. The final rule
is based on the interim rule that was published on December
20, 2006, and it addressed public comments submitted in response
to the interim rule. The United States Mint concluded the
interim rule would be adopted as a final rule with certain
changes based on the public comments and additional considerations.
This measure has been implemented to protect the coinage of
the United States by ensuring that sufficient quantities of
5-cent and one-cent coins remain in circulation to meet the
needs of the United States. A violation of these restrictions
can lead to a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment of up to
5 years, and forfeiture of the subject coins or metal. The
authority for implementing this regulation is Title 31 of
the United States Code, Section 5111(d).
Fraudulent
Presidential $1 Error Coins Being Sold
The United States Mint has recently learned that some individuals
are grinding the rims of Presidential $1 Coins to remove the
edge-incused inscriptions and then marketing these altered
items as error coins. This practice not only exploits unwary
consumers and collectors, but also is a Federal crime.
The United States Mint recently announced that an undetermined
number of George Washington Presidential $1 Coins were minted
and issued without the required edge-incused inscriptions,
"E Pluribus Unum," "In God We Trust,"
the year of issuance, and the mint mark. Because true error
coins such as these can be rare, they often become very attractive
among collectors, many of whom are willing to acquire them
at a premium above their face value. Apparently, some individuals
are exploiting this situation by altering the rims of perfectly
good Presidential $1 Coins to make them look like the recent
error coins.
Although altering and defacing United States coinage generally
is not illegal, doing so violates a Federal criminal statute
(18 U.S.C. § 331) when the act is accompanied by an intent
to defraud. Accordingly, a person is committing a Federal
crime if he or she intentionally alters an ordinary Presidential
$1 Coin to make it look like an error coin for the purpose
of selling it at a premium to someone who believes it to be
a real error coin. Under this statute, it is also a Federal
crime to sell at a premium an ordinary Presidential $1 Coin
that one knows has been altered so it looks like an error
coin to someone who believes it to be a real error coin. Penalties
include a fine and up to five years in prison.
The United States Mint has no Federal enforcement authority.
Rather, it refers such matters to the United States Secret
Service, which is lawfully authorized to detect and arrest
any person who violates a Federal law relating to United States
coinage.
Presidential
$1 Coins With "Upside-Down" Edge-Lettering Are Not
Errors
It has come to the attention of the United States Mint that
some people are offering to sell so-called George Washington
Presidential $1 "error" coins with "upside-down"
edge-lettering on on-line auction sites. These coins are not
"error" coins. The Presidential $1 Coins are inscribed
on the edge without regard to their "heads" or "tails"
orientation.
The edge-incused inscriptions on Presidential $1 Coins are
the year of minting or issuance, "E Pluribus Unum,"
"In God We Trust" and the mint mark. The United
States Mint incuses these inscriptions on the edge of each
coin at the second step of a two-step coining process. In
the first step, the blanks are fed into a coining machine
which impresses the obverse and reverse designs onto the coins,
and dispenses the coins into a large bin. In the second step,
the bin is transported to the edge-incusing machine, into
which the coins are fed at random, without regard to their
"heads" or "tails" orientation. Therefore,
statistically, approximately one-half of the coins produced
will have edge-lettering oriented toward the "heads"
side (obverse), and approximately one-half of the coins will
have the edge-incused inscriptions oriented toward the "tails"
side (reverse).
Early
Release of Presidential $1 Coins
It has come to the attention of the United States Mint that
several private businesses are offering to sell George Washington
Presidential $1 Coins prior to the official public release
date on Thursday, February 15, 2007. The United States Mint
wants to make consumers who are considering the purchase of
these products aware of certain facts.
The United States Mint has issued George Washington Presidential
$1 Coins only to the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve
has made arrangements with banks and other financial institutions
to ensure that these coins are in their inventories up to
two weeks prior to the official public release date, February
15, 2007.
George Washington Presidential $1 Coins will be available
for purchase at face value to all members of the public
at their local financial institutions beginning on February
15, 2007. The banks and other financial institutions that
have entered into such arrangements have agreed not to distribute
George Washington Presidential $1 Coins before this official
public release date.
The Presidential $1 Coins currently being offered for
sale by private businesses, often with a considerable mark-up,
are the same circulating quality coins that will be available
to all members of the public from their local banks and
other financial institutions on February 15, 2007. These
are not the proof or uncirculated quality coins that are
found in United States Mint proof and uncirculated coin
sets, nor are they official "early releases" or
"first strikes."
NEW FEDERAL REGULATION PROHIBITING
EXPORTATION, MELTING, OR TREATMENT OF UNITED STATES ONE-CENT
AND 5-CENT COINS
On December 12, 2006, United States Mint Director Edmund
Moy approved an interim rule that generally prohibits the
exportation, melting, or treatment of United States one-cent
coins (pennies) and 5-cent coins (nickels), which became effective
upon publication in the Federal Register on December 20, 2006.
Because of the rising commodity prices of copper, nickel and
zinc, the value of the metal content of both pennies and nickels
now exceeds their respective face values. Accordingly, there
is concern that speculators could remove pennies and nickels
from circulation and sell them as scrap metal for profit.
Widespread withdrawal of pennies and nickels from circulation
could cause coin shortages, and it would be extremely costly
to replenish them, given prevailing metal prices and production
costs.
This measure has been implemented to protect the coinage
of the United States. A violation of the new restrictions
can lead to a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment of up to
5 years, and forfeiture of the subject coins or metal. The
authority for implementing this regulation is Title 31 of
the United States Code, Section 5111(d).
NORFED’s "Liberty Dollars"
The National Organization for the Repeal of the Federal Reserve
Act and the Internal Revenue Code (NORFED) is producing and
marketing gold and silver medallions that NORFED calls "Liberty
Dollars." The United States Mint and the United States
Department of Justice have received inquiries regarding the
legality of these so-called "Liberty Dollar" medallions.
The United States Mint urges consumers who are considering
the purchase or use of these items to be aware that they are
not genuine United States Mint bullion coins and they are
not legal tender. These medallions are privately produced
products and are not backed by, nor affiliated in any way
with, the United States Government. Moreover, prosecutors
with the Department of Justice have determined that the use
of these gold and silver NORFED "Liberty Dollar"
medallions as circulating money is a Federal crime.
Consumers may find advertisements for these medallions confusing
and should take note of several issues related to them.
First, the advertisements refer to the product as "real
money" and "currency." These medallions might
look like real money because they—
Bear the inscriptions, "Liberty," "Dollars,"
"Trust in God" (similar to "In God We Trust"),
and "USA" (similar to "United States of America"),
and an inscription purporting to denote the year of production;
and
Depict images that are similar to United States coins,
such as the torch on the reverses of the current dime coin,
1986 Statute of Liberty commemorative silver dollar and
1993 Bill of Rights commemorative half-dollar, and the Liberty
Head designs on the obverses of United States gold coins
from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s.
However, despite their misleading appearance, NORFED "Liberty
Dollar" medallions are not genuine United States Mint
coins and they are not legal tender.
Second, the advertisements confusingly refer to NORFED "Liberty
Dollar" medallions as "legal" and "constitutional."
However, under the Constitution ( Article I, section 8, clause
5 ), Congress has the exclusive power to coin money of the
United States and to regulate its value. By statute ( 31 U.S.C.
§ 5112(a) ), Congress specifies the coins that the Secretary
of the Treasury is authorized to mint and issue and requires
the Secretary to carry out these duties at the United States
Mint (31 U.S.C. § 5131). Accordingly, the United States
Mint is the only entity in the United States with the lawful
authority to mint and issue legal tender United States coins.
Under 18 U.S.C. § 486, it is a Federal crime to utter
or pass, or attempt to utter or pass, any coins of gold or
silver intended for use as current money except as authorized
by law. According to the NORFED website, "Liberty merchants"
are encouraged to accept NORFED "Liberty Dollar"
medallions and offer them as change in sales transactions
of merchandise or services. Further, NORFED tells "Liberty
associates" that they can earn money by obtaining NORFED
"Liberty Dollar" medallions at a discount and then
can "spend [them] into circulation." Therefore,
NORFED’s "Liberty Dollar" medallions are specifically
intended to be used as current money in order to limit reliance
on, and to compete with the circulating coinage of the United
States. Consequently, prosecutors with the United States Department
of Justice have concluded that the use of NORFED’s "Liberty
Dollar" medallions violates 18 U.S.C. § 486.
"First Strike"
The United States Mint has received inquiries from consumers
regarding use of the term "first strike." The term
has appeared in connection with the advertising and grading
of 2005 and 2006 silver, gold, and platinum proof and bullion
American Eagle Coins, and the new 2006 24-karat proof and
bullion American Buffalo Gold Coins. Currently, there is no
widely-accepted and standardized numismatic industry definition
of "first strike." Coin dealers and grading services
may use this term in varying ways. Some base its use on dates
appearing on United States Mint product packaging or packing
slips, or on the dates of product releases or ceremonial coin
strike events. Consumers should carefully review the following
information along with each dealer’s or grading service’s
definition of "first strike" when considering a
purchase of coins with this designation.
The United States Mint has not designated any 2005 or 2006
American Eagle Coins or 2006 American Buffalo Coins as "first
strikes," nor do we track the order in which we mint
such coins during their production. The United States Mint
held a launch ceremony for the 2006 American Buffalo Gold
Coin on June 20, 2006, two days before its release on June
22, at which two proof coins and two uncirculated coins were
ceremonially struck. However, those coins were not individually
identified and were put in regular inventory after the ceremony.
The United States Mint did not hold any striking ceremonies
for the 2005 or 2006 American Eagle Coins.
The United States Mint strives to produce coins of consistently
high quality throughout the course of production. Our strict
quality controls assure that coins of this caliber are produced
from each die set throughout its useful life. Our manufacturing
facilities use a die set as long as the quality of resulting
coins meets United States Mint standards, and then replace
the dies, continually changing sets throughout the production
process. For bullion American Eagle and American Buffalo Coins,
the United States Mint makes an average of about 6,000 coins
from one die set. For proof versions of the 2006 American
Buffalo Coins, the yield is an average of about 1,500 coins
per die set. For proof versions of the American Eagle Coins,
the yield is an average of about 300-500 coins per die set.
This means that coins may be minted from new die sets at any
point and at multiple times while production of a coin is
ongoing, not just the first day or at the beginning of production.
To put this in context, in 2005 the United States Mint produced
approximately 356,500 one-ounce gold, 8,891,000 silver, and
6,300 one-ounce platinum American Eagle Bullion Coins.
American Eagle and American Buffalo Coins are not individually
numbered and the United States Mint does not keep track of
the order or date of minting of individual bullion or proof
coins. The United States Mint begins production several weeks
before these coins are scheduled to be released. By the release
dates for 2005 and 2006 bullion coins, the United States Mint
had already minted approximately 50% of the projected sales
numbers for these coins. Any dates on shipping boxes containing
uncirculated bullion coins sent to Authorized Purchasers are
strictly for quality control and accounting purposes at the
United States Mint at West Point. The date on the box represents
the date that the box was packed, verified as 500 ounces and
sealed, and the date of packaging does not necessarily correlate
with the date of manufacture. The date on shipping labels
and packing slips for proof coins, which are sent directly
to United States Mint customers from our fulfillment center,
is the date the item was packed and shipped by the fulfillment
center. The other numbers on the shipping label and packing
slip are used to track the order and for quality control.
United States Mint Seeks To
Protect Consumers and Hobby From Misuse of Official Name and
Emblems--Public Comment Sought on New Rule
The Secretary of the Treasury has authorized the implementation
of a regulation that would help protect consumers and the
coin-collecting hobby when the Department of the Treasury’s
and the United States Mint’s names and emblems are used
in confusing, misleading and deceptive advertising. The United
States Mint is soliciting public comment on the proposed rule,
which will be published in the Federal Register. The regulation
would allow the United States Mint to fine those who misuse
its name or emblems or those of the Department of the Treasury.
The authority for implementing this regulation is Title 31
of the United States Code, Section 333.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands' "Freedom Tower" Silver Dollar
The United States Mint wants to alert consumers and the public
about a new product being marketed by a private firm -- the
National Collector's Mint, Inc. The National Collector's Mint,
Inc. advertises this product as a "Freedom Tower Silver
Dollar" originating from the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands and claims that it is a "legally authorized
government issue" coin. On October 13, 2004, the New
York Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order against
the National Collector’s Mint, Inc., immediately halting
the advertisement and sale of the "Freedom Tower Silver
Dollar." Consumers who have questions or concerns about
the "Freedom Tower Silver Dollar" can contact the
New York Attorney General’s Office at www.oag.state.ny.us
or by calling the Attorney General’s consumer help line
at (800) 771-7755 (in-state) or (518) 474-5481 (out-of-state).
The "Freedom Tower Silver Dollar" is not a genuine
United States Mint coin or medal. Under the Constitution,
Congress has the exclusive power to coin money of the United
States. Congress has delegated its authority to mint and issue
coins to the Secretary of Treasury, and Congress requires
the Secretary to carry out these duties at the United States
Mint. Thus, the United States Mint is the only government
entity in the United States with the authority to coin money.
Clearly, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands,
a U.S. insular possession, does not have the authority to
coin its own money.
Consumers may find the advertisements for this product confusing
because the National Collector's Mint uses phrases such as
"legally authorized government issue," "U.S.
territorial minting," and "silver dollar."
The product itself may be confusing because it bears the denomination
"One Dollar" and the inscription "In God We
Trust," which Congress requires on all United States
coins. Congress did not authorize the National Collector's
Mint product, and the United States Government does not endorse
it.
1936-dated Proof Set "Tribute"
(Replica)
The United States Mint is aware of recent efforts by the
National Collector's Mint to market a replica of the United
States Mint's 1936-dated Proof Set. Consumers should know
that the National Collector's Mint is a business not affiliated
or connected in any way with the United States Mint or the
United States Government. The product - featuring medallions
that closely resemble coins produced in 1936 - includes no
genuine United States coins.
The set, which is identified as a "tribute" to
the first proof set produced by the United States Mint in
1936, features no genuine coins. Instead, the medallions contained
in the set are reproductions and have a metal content different
from the genuine coins produced by the United States Mint.
Actual proof sets produced by the United States Mint in 1936
remain a popular item among collectors.
Consumers should note that the medallions in the National
Collector's Mint "tribute" set are metallurgically
different than their U.S. coin counterparts. For example,
the National Collector's Mint's "penny" medallion
is made entirely of copper. Actual 1936-dated Lincoln pennies,
backed by the United States Government, consist of 95 percent
copper, and 5 percent tin and zinc.
Similarly, the National Collector's Mint's "nickel"
medallion is made of "pure silver clad." Actual
1936-dated Indian Head/Buffalo nickels consist of 75 percent
copper and 25 percent nickel. Additionally, the image used
on the National Collector's Mint's "nickel" medallion
appears to have been taken from the 2001-dated Buffalo Commemorative
Coin, itself based on the original Indian Head/Buffalo nickel
(designed in 1913). The size of the head in relation to the
inscription "LIBERTY" on the "tribute"
nickel's obverse, as well as details in the subject's braid,
hair and face, reflect the 2001-design and not the original
design used in 1936.
2003 Missouri State Quarter
Products
The National Collector's Mint is now producing and marketing
a medallion that purports to be "the state quarter that
the U.S. Government refused to mint." The United States
Mint urges consumers who are considering the purchase of this
item to be aware that it is not a genuine United States Mint
quarter-dollar coin and is not legal tender. The medallion
is a privately-produced product not backed by the United States
Government.
Consumers may find the accompanying advertisements of this
medallion confusing and should take note of several issues
related to them. First, the advertisement refers to the product
as a "state quarter." The featured product is not
a state quarter but, rather, a medallion featuring the same
obverse design as genuine quarter-dollar coins. Second, the
image of the obverse side of the medallion in the advertisement
is not an image of the actual product being sold. The image
in the advertisement does not include the word "copy,"
while the actual product does.
The obverse design depicted on the National Collector's Mint
medallion is nearly a copy of the obverse design on genuine
Missouri quarter-dollar coins featuring George Washington.
The word "copy" does appear on the likeness of George
Washington on the medallion. This medallion also carries an
"S" mint mark, which is usually reserved for United
States coins that are legal tender and produced at the San
Francisco Mint.
The reverse design depicted on the National Collector's Mint's
medallion is a different version of the design on genuine
Missouri quarter-dollar coins. The Secretary of the Treasury
approved the reverse design on Missouri quarter-dollar coins
produced by the United States Mint and the approved design
is the only design that may appear on Missouri quarter-dollar
coins backed by the United States Government.
Additional information concerning coin production can be
found in the "About The Mint" section of the United
States Mint's web pages.
Operation Iraqi Freedom Commemorative
Products
Recent Internet advertisements for "Operation Freedom"
colorized Kennedy half-dollars have caught the attention of
the United States Mint and the Michigan State Attorney General's
Office. Touted as commemorative coins, the advertisements
have generated confusion among consumers who believe the colorized
coins are genuine commemorative coins produced by the United
States Mint. Other advertisements include colorized Eisenhower
dollar coins and American Eagle silver bullion coins paying
homage to the U.S. armed forces in Iraq.
Only the United States Congress may direct the minting of
an official, legal tender U.S. commemorative coin whose proceeds
may be used to assist a particular cause or organization.
The United States Mint encourages the public to support and
honor the U.S. military in any way they can. We merely urge
consumers who are considering the purchase of these items
to be aware that they are not genuine United States Mint commemorative
coins, but instead privately colorized U.S. coins that the
U.S. Government neither endorses nor sponsors.
Columbia Space Shuttle Commemorative
Products
Since February 1, 2003, a number of private firms have been
marketing medallions and other coin-related products in remembrance
of the Columbia Space Shuttle and that day's tragic events.
The United States Mint has received calls indicating that
these products are confusing to consumers-many of whom believe
that these items are legal tender coins colorized by the United
States Mint, U.S. commemorative coins, or United States Mint
official medals.
Under law, only Congress can direct the minting of an official,
legal tender U.S. commemorative coin or official United States
Mint medal whose proceeds may be used to assist a particular
cause or organization. The United States Mint encourages the
public to remember and honor the Columbia Space Shuttle and
its crew in any way they can. We merely urge consumers who
are considering the purchase of a medallion or coin-related
item in their memory to be aware that they are not genuine
United States Mint commemorative coins or medals, but privately
manufactured medallions or privately colorized U.S. coins
that the U.S. Government neither endorses nor sponsors.
Coin Confusion Clarified United States
Mint Settlement Raises Awareness
In a victory for coin collectors across America, the United
States Mint today announced a historic settlement in which
the defendant, Washington Mint, LLC, a private mint located
in Minnesota, must serve notice to customers, helping them
distinguish between genuine United States coins and privately-
produced coin replicas.
"This historic settlement affirms the United States
Mint's commitment to protect and inform its customers, to
educate consumers across the nation, and to safeguard the
United States Mint's reputation for producing the highest
quality coins and products," said United States Mint
Director Henrietta Holsman Fore.
In the agreement, the Justice Department settled all of the
United States Mint’s trademark and false advertising
claims against the Washington Mint. The settlement marks the
end of three years of litigation in which the U.S. District
Court for the District of Minnesota found the Washington Mint,
a private company specializing in medallions and collectables,
liable for infringing the United States Mint's trademark and
for engaging in false and deceptive advertising.
As part of the agreement, Washington Mint must assist the
United States Mint in its efforts to eliminate existing confusion
in the marketplace. The Washington Mint has agreed to serve
a consumer awareness notice to its customers of U.S. coins
and replicas of U.S. coins since January 1, 2000, providing
information that will assist customers in distinguishing genuine
United States coins from privately produced look-alikes or
replicas.
The notice is also intended to help eliminate confusion in
the minds of consumers by more clearly identifying the Washington
Mint as a private company, not associated in any way with
the United States Mint. Under the United States Constitution
and federal law, Congress has established the United States
Mint as the only entity authorized to produce genuine, legal
tender United States coins.
"Elvis Presley® 25th Anniversary
Tennessee State Quarter Tribute"
The United States Mint has received inquiries regarding the
"Elvis Presley® 25th Anniversary Tennessee State
Quarter Tribute," now available in the collector's market.
The colorized quarters are not sponsored or endorsed by the
United States Government. The inquiries appear to stem from
recent newspaper advertisements from the International Collectors
Society, a commercial business operating in Owings Mills,
Maryland. Consumers should know that the International Collectors
Society is a business not affiliated or connected in any way
with the United States Mint or the United States Government.
The United States Mint receives frequent inquiries from the
public concerning its position on the industry practice of
superimposing images of prominent public figures on genuine
U.S. coins, such as the "Elvis Presley® 25th Anniversary
Tennessee State Quarter Tribute," featured here. The
United States Mint does not encourage, endorse or sponsor
products that alter the fundamental images depicted on its
coins. A superimposed design is entirely different than the
coin's original image and almost obliterates the coin's organic
design. Altering United States Mint coins this way may heighten
the concerns of people who regard the images and designs on
our Nation's coinage as sacrosanct. Indeed, Congress itself
mandates by statute the design themes and inscriptions that
appear on a particular coin. In this case, the International
Collectors Society is superimposing an image of Elvis Presley®
on the obverse of a quarter dollar coin that Congress directed
the United States Mint to produce with a portrait of George
Washington for the purpose of commemorating the two hundredth
anniversary of the birth of George Washington in 1931.
September 11 Commemorative Products
Since September 11, 2001, a number of private firms have
been marketing medallions and other coin-related products
in remembrance of that day's tragic events. The United States
Mint has received calls indicating that these products are
confusing to consumers - many of whom believe that these items
are legal tender coins colorized by the United States Mint,
U.S. commemorative coins, or United States Mint official medals.
Under law, only Congress can direct the minting of an official,
legal tender U.S. commemorative coin or official United States
Mint medal whose proceeds may be used to assist a particular
cause or organization. Although the United States Mint is
aware that Congress is considering such action, at this time,
Congress has not authorized the United States Mint to produce
an official coin or medal related to the September 11 events.
The United States Mint encourages the public to support recovery
efforts. We merely urge consumers who are considering the
purchase of a medallion or coin-related item pertaining to
the events of September 11 to be aware that they are not genuine
United States Mint commemorative coins or medals, but privately
manufactured medallions or privately colorized U.S. coins
that the U.S. Government neither endorses nor sponsors.
American Buffalo Commemorative
Coin
Genuine United
States Mint American Buffalo Commemorative Coin
Source: The United States Mint
Inscription "IN GOD WE TRUST"
appears near the upper portion of the coin.
Inscription "E PLURIBUS UNUM" appears under
the buffalo’s head.
Official denomination of the coin – "ONE
DOLLAR" appears below buffalo.
Genuine coin shows the Philadelphia (P) mint mark below
the denomination.
Genuine coin displays the mintage year "2001"
on the obverse (Native American) side.
Replica of United States Mint
American Buffalo Commemorative Coin
Source: National Collector's Mint, Inc.
Replica's inscription
reads: ".999 FINE SILVER".
Replica does not have an inscription under the buffalo's
head.
Replica does not display the Philadelphia (P) mint
mark.
Replica displays mintage year "2001" below
the buffalo.
The United States Mint has received numerous inquiries regarding
replicas of the new American Buffalo Commemorative Silver
Dollar now available in the collectors market. The replicas
are not genuine U.S. coins and are not sponsored or endorsed
by the United States Government. The majority of inquiries
appear to stem from advertisements by the National Collector's
Mint, Inc., a business hosting a mail drop in Washington,
DC. Consumers should know that the National Collector's Mint,
Inc. is a business not affiliated with the United States Mint,
or the U.S. Government.
If you are unsure whether the product you have purchased
from a business is an genuine United States Mint American
Buffalo Commemorative Silver Dollar, you should note that
the genuine coin features the year (2001) and artist's initial
("F" for "Fraser") on the obverse and
the denomination (One Dollar) and mint mark ("P"
for "Philadelphia") on the reverse. The National
Collector's Mint, Inc. 3 ½ inch replica features the
words "Giant Buffalo Proof." For additional information,
please visit the United States Mint's Pressroom. For more
tips on identifying the differences between genuine U.S. coins
and replicas, please visit Tips on Identifying U.S. Coins