Overview of 2013 Reverse Proof Gold Buffalo PCGS PR70

The 2013 Reverse Proof Gold Buffalo is a one-ounce, 24-karat coin struck by the United States Mint at West Point and assigned the W mint mark. With a purity of .9999 fine gold and a diameter of 32.7 mm, it meets the same physical standards as the standard proof Gold Buffalo series while presenting a dramatically different visual finish. This particular example has been certified PR70 by PCGS, representing a perfect grade with no post-production imperfections visible under 5x magnification. The reverse proof finish inverts the conventional proof treatment, presenting frosted background fields against highly polished design elements. This contrast makes it one of the more visually striking releases in the Buffalo series, and the PR70 grade distinguishes it as flawless by the most widely respected third-party certification standard in the numismatic industry. We carry this coin in its PCGS-slabbed state, preserving both its condition and its documented authenticity.

History and Background

The American Gold Buffalo series launched in 2006 as the first .9999 fine gold coin ever produced by the United States Mint. Its introduction was partly a response to demand from buyers who preferred the higher purity of international issues like the Canadian Maple Leaf over the .9167 fine American Gold Eagle. The series draws its design from James Earle Fraser's iconic Buffalo nickel, first issued in 1913, tying the modern gold program to one of the most beloved designs in American coinage history. The 2013 release marked the program's one-hundredth anniversary of Fraser's original design, making it a noteworthy point in the series timeline. To commemorate the centennial, the U.S. Mint struck a limited number of reverse proof examples alongside the standard proof and uncirculated versions for that year. The reverse proof finish was not part of the regular annual production rotation, which contributed to its relatively limited mintage and the heightened attention it received from collectors upon release.

Design and Aesthetics

The obverse carries Augustus Saint-Gaudens' portrait of a Native American chief in full headdress, adapted from Fraser's 1913 nickel design. The portrait faces right with strong, clean lines, and the inscription "LIBERTY" appears above the figure alongside the year of issue. The inscription "IN GOD WE TRUST" is also present, along with the W mint mark below the date. The reverse features Fraser's American bison, commonly identified as Black Diamond, a bison that resided at the Central Park Zoo in the early twentieth century. The animal stands atop a raised mound in a commanding profile, with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," "$50," and "1 OZ. .9999 FINE GOLD" inscribed around the design. What sets the 2013 reverse proof apart is how the finish reconfigures the visual hierarchy of these familiar design elements. The polished, mirror-like relief against frosted fields creates an effect that reads almost like a photographic negative of a standard proof, giving the design a dimensional quality that photographs cannot fully capture.

Authenticity and Product Integrity

The .9999 fine gold standard used in the Buffalo series is verified through the U.S. Mint's production controls, which are among the most stringent applied to any sovereign gold coinage program. Each coin is struck at West Point under tight tolerances for weight, diameter, and thickness, with the specifications confirmed by the issuing authority before the coins leave the facility. The PCGS PR70 certification adds a further layer of documented authenticity. PCGS encapsulates each graded coin in a tamper-evident holder, assigns a unique certification number, and grades the piece against a defined standard that includes examination for contact marks, hairlines, luster, and strike quality. A PR70 designation confirms the coin is indistinguishable from a perfect specimen. As an authorized PCGS dealer, we are well-positioned to represent graded coins accurately and stand behind the certification accompanying each piece.

Condition and Packaging

A PR70 grade from PCGS reflects the highest possible designation within the Sheldon grading scale for proof coinage. At this grade, the coin exhibits no detectable flaws under 5x magnification, with complete strike detail, full mirrored fields where applicable, and no visible hairlines, spots, or blemishes of any kind. For a reverse proof coin where the polished design elements are the focal point, this level of surface quality is particularly meaningful. The coin is housed in a PCGS plastic slab, which serves as both a protective enclosure and a permanent record of its grade and certification number. The slab maintains the coin's condition without requiring any additional handling or storage considerations on the buyer's end. Because this product is graded and slabbed, there is no standard tube or box packaging configuration to reference. Each piece is delivered in its certified holder, which provides both protection and an unambiguous chain of grading documentation.

Pricing and Market Factors

The base price of this coin moves with the spot price of gold, but the premium structure reflects considerably more than raw metal content. Graded collector coins of this type carry premiums driven by grade scarcity, numismatic demand, mintage levels, and the specific popularity of the series and finish. A PR70 on a low-mintage reverse proof issue commands a premium that reflects both the rarity of that certification tier and the difficulty of achieving it on a coin with polished design elements susceptible to contact marks. Our pricing reflects real-time market conditions and is structured to be transparent rather than obscured by unnecessary layers of complexity. The bid/ask spread displayed on each product page provides a clear picture of the acquisition cost relative to the current resale value, which is particularly useful when evaluating a premium-carrying collector coin where that spread can vary meaningfully from standard bullion issues.

Selling and Liquidity

Graded U.S. Mint coins, particularly those certified by PCGS or NGC, trade within an active secondary market supported by auction houses, dealers, and direct buyers. The 2013 Reverse Proof Gold Buffalo in PR70 benefits from the name recognition of the Buffalo series, the credibility of PCGS certification, and the relative scarcity of the reverse proof finish within the program's history. These factors contribute to a more defined resale market compared to generic bullion. We operate a two-way market that includes competitive buyback pricing on products like this one. Liquidity considerations are worth evaluating before any purchase, and our platform is designed to keep both sides of the transaction visible. Understanding the spread between what you pay and what you could expect to receive upon resale gives you a more complete picture of the true cost of ownership for a numismatic piece of this type.

Why Buy the 2013 Reverse Proof Gold Buffalo PCGS PR70?

The combination of a historically significant year, a limited-production finish, and a perfect PCGS grade makes this coin a distinct option within the Gold Buffalo series. The 2013 vintage carries additional significance as the centennial of Fraser's original Buffalo nickel design, which adds context that is specific to this year's release rather than shared across the broader series. For buyers who want a Gold Buffalo that stands apart from the standard annual proof issues, the reverse proof format in PR70 offers exactly that distinction. The .9999 fine gold content provides a foundation of intrinsic metal value, while the PCGS slab eliminates the uncertainty that can accompany raw collector coins. Buyers receive a coin with its grade documented, its authenticity confirmed, and its condition preserved. That combination is directly relevant to anyone who intends to hold the coin for an extended period or position it within a collection of certified U.S. gold issues.

Why Buy from Bullion Standard?

Our platform is built around transparency rather than pressure, and that approach shapes how we present products like this one. Pricing is tied to real-time market conditions, the bid/ask spread is displayed openly on each product page, and we do not obscure the true cost of ownership behind vague or inconsistent premium structures. For a graded numismatic coin where premium dynamics are more complex than standard bullion, that transparency is especially relevant. As an authorized dealer for both PCGS and NGC, we are equipped to represent certified coins accurately and handle them with the care their condition warrants. Our A rating with the Better Business Bureau, along with our memberships in the American Numismatic Association and the National Coin and Bullion Association, reflects a consistent commitment to professional standards across every transaction. Whether you are adding to an existing collection or acquiring a significant single piece, we support the process from first inquiry through fulfillment and beyond.

Get Near-Spot Pricing with Bullion Standard Pro

Bullion Standard Pro provides members with access to live, executable wholesale bid and ask pricing, which is particularly useful when evaluating a coin like the 2013 Reverse Proof Gold Buffalo PR70 where the premium above spot can shift based on collector demand, market sentiment, and graded population data. Rather than working from static or estimated prices, Pro members can see how this product is priced and traded at the wholesale level in real time. The platform also includes proprietary research tools that allow members to track historical premiums, evaluate bid/ask spread efficiency, and compare liquidity characteristics across certified and uncertified products. For a coin that carries a meaningful numismatic premium, understanding how that premium has behaved historically and how it compares to similar graded issues can support a more informed purchasing decision.

Flexible and Secure Payment Options

We support a broad range of payment methods to make the transaction straightforward and secure regardless of your preference. Accepted options include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, PayPal, bank-connected payments through Plaid, wire transfer, paper check, and cryptocurrency via BitPay. Each method is processed through a secure framework designed to protect your information and ensure reliable transaction completion from checkout through delivery.