I wasn't paying attention to emails from the Mint, missed the notice about Buffalo subscriptions being cancelled, and then the 2009 Buffalo sold out before I got on the Mint's website. I did some quick browsing online and found a source for second-hand 2009 Buffalos, but they don't come with a box or papers. This makes me uncomfortable when buying such a valuable coin... any thoughts on this? Should I keep looking until I find an online vendor with a good reputation that does have the box and papers? Thanks for the advice!
Always buy with all the original packaging!! Especially on these, Wouldnt even Consider buying the coin by itself !
What dealer were you looking at? Hard to say if you don;t know but there are plenty of places you can buy them still, like Apmex: 2009 (1 oz PROOF) Gold Buffalo - w/ Box & COA, or MCM, MintProducts, Golden Eagle Coins ... Of course some of those links only sell TPG graded coins but you can buy the empty boxes off eBay if you need those, even crack the coin out of the slab and put it back in the OGP from the Mint if that's what you choose to do with it. Obviously, there are more reputable dealers out there than I linked to above and now that the 2009 Proof AGB coin is no longer offered by the US Mint you find that prices are going to be different, so do some shopping around if you have a budget to mind in your purchase. Good luck to you... post a pic of the coin here once you buy one! I'm sure you can still get hold of a nice example.:thumb:
Not always Rusty... but for the OP, always buy from a reputable dealer or seller whom you can trust and try to buy at the best possible price you can find for your budget. Also, you can usually buy with assurance, if following the first caveat should you opt to buy a coin graded by a TPG, which does not come with the OGP.
I would go to a local dealer who is reputable to look for 09 Buffalos. Never buy gold coins, that are US Mint produced and issued, with the COA and original packaging, unless you find one that's been slabbed by 1 of the top 3 TPGs, PCGS, ANACS, NGC.
"Never say never..." You can buy raw coins safely from reputable dealers online or directly from the US Mint... You do not have to buy them TPG slabbed unless you want them that way or in a particular grade. There are even issues with buying slabbed coins so don't assume that because its in a slab it's 100% authentic, the seller, if questionable or of ill repute, could be selling fakes in real slabs or fake slabs... you always have to keep your guard up and watch for generalized statements like these.
I am guessing you are talking about proofs. I was not aware that the standard version had "papers". AMPEX has them. http://www.apmex.com/Category/455/Gold_Buffalo_Coins_2009__Prior.aspx
Yes, Proof coins come with a COA and a presentation box. The Apmex link was provided in post #3 to the 2009-W Proof AGB. The Unc versions do not have COA and a presention box. Dealers sell unc coins raw (often in a flip) or in a TPG slab. The slab also indicates what version the coin is, proof or mint state (unc.)
The mint is sold out of the 09 Buffalos. When I read this post I went and checked and there are no more apparantely. American Buffalo 24K Gold Coins American Buffalo One Ounce Gold Proof Coins are collector versions of the official United States Mint American Buffalo Gold Bullion Coins. Each coin contains one ounce of .9999 fine, 24-karat gold and is presented in an elegant hardwood box with a matte finish and a faux leather inset, and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed by the Director of the United States Mint. American Buffalo One Ounce Gold Proof Coins will be offered in 2010. The on sale date has not yet been determined. http://catalog.usmint.gov/webapp/wc...storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&identifier=0500
Yep, the coin's been sold out for several days already... and it's been in the coin blogs and news plus discussed here in some of the threads titled for the 2009 PProof AGB. US Mint Sells Out of 2009 American Buffalo Gold Proof Coins from CoinNew.net [3.29.2010]
You are fortunate enough that this issue is common enough that it should be fairly easy to find in orignal mint capsule and box and with papers. I would buy one with all the packaging included if I were interested and would expect to pay right around what the US Mint had been selling them for just prior to being sold out. Further down the line they may still track the price of gold plus their built in premium, but if the price of gold goes up then you will be out of pocket even more.
If the original packaging is supposed to be there in the first place, Then Why buy it, Without it!! In a word authenticity!! would never consider Purchase with out knowing its real, Its just common sense :secret:
Isn't it a lot easier to fake the certificate than the coin? And how do you know if you have a real certificate coupled with a good fake coin?
