A Black Diamond Gold Buffalo is a 1 oz gold buffalo that has been certified by the Professional Coin Grading Services (PCGS) as being flawless MS-70 condition with a Black Diamond label.
Beyond a numerical Sheldon score, the Black Diamond label is a symbol of prestige, rarity, and the highest standards in numismatics. The label pays homage to the New York City Central Park Zoo bison, Black Diamond, who served as the model for the Buffalo on the reverse of the coin.
Black Diamond was brought to the New York City Central Park Zoo in the early 1900s, and James Earle Fraser patterned his buffalo reverse after Black Diamond.
The Black Diamond designation has been awarded to $50 Gold Buffalo coins since 2006 and was also awarded to MS-70 2001 re-issues of the $1 Silver Buffalo.
Is the Black Diamond Label Paired with Other Labels or Designations?
The Black Diamond label can be found paired with designations like First Day of Issue (FDI), which certifies that the coin was among the first shipped from the U.S. Mint.
The label can also be found with Advanced Release (AR) buffalo, which are certified and graded before FDI coins. The AR designation has been awarded since 2021 for a select few coin series.
Finally, the Black Diamond label has also been paired with the First Strike designation, which is awarded to coins issued in the first 30 days of the Mint release.
Is the Black Diamond Label Valuable?
The PCGS Black Diamond label are both unique and highly sought after by collectors and numismatists. The Black Diamond label features a diamond-shaped insert in the encapsulation that provides a border for the coin’s grade and other information on the holder.
This designation not only adds value to Gold Buffalo but takes modern coin collecting to another level.
The Black Diamond label has become increasingly popular among collectors in recent years due to its rarity and unique design. Collectors who are interested in acquiring coins with this label should be prepared to pay a premium over other similar coins.
About Black Diamond and James Fraser
James Fraser described the buffalo at the Central Park Zoo as a ‘typical and shaggy specimen’ and that the buffalo was ‘not a plains buffalo, but none other than Black Diamond, the contrariest animal at the zoo.’
Fraser tried to sketch the buffalo for hours, but Black Diamond would not let Fraser get a profile view of his body and instead faced him head-first.
Fraser’s reverse design has been used with minor modifications since the 1913 issue of the Buffalo Nickel. Fraser’s Indian Head on the obverse has been used for silver and gold Buffalo and is featured on many silver rounds from private mints today as well.
Following efforts to save the American bison species and repopulate their ancient grounds, buffalo were bred in New York City in the early 1900s. The buffalo found in protected reserves like the Wichita Wildlife Refuge are direct descendants of these bison.
The Black Diamond PCGS label is a mark of distinction and perfection. It represents the stamp of approval from one of the most reputable grading services in the industry. As a collector, owning a coin with the Black Diamond label is a connection to history, a symbol of excellence, and an asset in the world of numismatics.
