Eric Sepanek
SBC Founder
Eric Sepanek is the founder of Scottsdale Bullion & Coin, established in 2011. With extensive experience in the precious metals industry, he is dedicated to educating Americans on the wealth preservation power of gold and silver.
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The Gold Buffalo and Gold Britannia may both be world-class gold bullion coins, but their differences run deeper than their shine. For decades, these two icons from the US Mint and the UK Royal Mint have been go-to choices for investors seeking wealth preservation, portfolio diversification, and long-term stability.
By exploring the history, purity, design, sizes, and market value of the Gold Buffalo and Gold Britannia, investors can better understand how each coin fits into a precious metals strategy and which one could be the smarter addition to their portfolio. If you’re weighing multiple options, another popular coin comparison can help round out the picture.
| Gold Buffalo | Gold Britannia | |
|---|---|---|
| Purity | 99.99% | 91.67% (1987–2012) 99.99% (2013–Present) |
| Sizes | 1 oz, 1/2 oz*, 1/4 oz*, 1/10 oz* | 5 oz, 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz, 1/20 oz, 1/40 oz |
| Mint Years | 2006–Present | 1987–Present |
| Mintage Numbers | 4,861,430 | NA (Minted to demand) |
| Versions | Bullion, Proof, & Uncirculated | Bullion & Proof |
| IRA Eligibility | Yes | Yes (Only post-2013 coins in eligible sizes) |
* Fractional Gold Buffalos were only released in 2008 as proof and uncirculated coins.
Gold Buffalo vs Gold Britannia: Key Background and Overview
Gold Buffalo
The American Gold Buffalo is a gold bullion coin produced by the US Mint. It was the first coin to have 0.9999 fineness and is among a limited number of US coins featuring a Native American, such as the Indian Head series.
Compared to more established bullion coinage such as Gold Eagles, the Gold Buffalo is much newer, having only been launched in 2006. The modern minting techniques available at the time of release ensured this classic coinage always featured exceptional purity.
Gold Britannia
The Royal Mint’s flagship gold bullion coin is the Gold Britannia. It has enjoyed annual production in large quantities since 1987 and underwent a boost in gold purity in 2013.
It was launched to compete with popular foreign coins, including the Canadian Maple Leaf and the South African Krugerrand. Unlike many gold bullion coins, the Gold Britannia showcases subtle variations every year.
Gold Buffalo vs Gold Britannia Purity: 99.99% Gold & Historical Changes
Gold Buffalos boast a remarkable 99.99% gold purity, a standard maintained consistently from their debut in 2006. Modern Gold Britannias also match this .9999 fineness, but that wasn’t always the case.
From their introduction in 1987 until 2012, these coins were minted with 91.67% gold. In 2013, the government overhauled the gold composition of the Gold Britannia to reach 99.99%, aligning it with most modern bullion coinage.
Gold Buffalo vs Gold Britannia Design: Obverse, Reverse, and Unique Features
Gold Buffalo
The obverse side is adorned with an image of a Native American man with traditional bird feathers in his hair. This same depiction on the Indian Head coin is supposedly modeled after three different chiefs. The mint date and LIBERTY are also inscribed on this side.
The Gold Buffalo derives its name from the reverse image, which features a large buffalo. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the country’s motto E PLURIBUS UNUM are written above, while IN GOD WE TRUST and the coin’s specs are below.
Gold Britannia
Gold Britannias feature the British Monarch on the obverse. Up until 2023, all coins featured long-reigning Queen Elizabeth II. Since her passing, these coins have been emblazoned with the bust of King Charles III.
The reverse side has undergone several changes over the years, but the main thrust has remained the same. Britannia, the personification of the country, is seen walking regally with a trident in her right hand and a Union Jack shield in her left. The mint date, coin weight, and fineness rating are written around the outer edge.
Gold Buffalo vs Gold Britannia Mintage Numbers and Coin Types
The US Mint has released 4,861,430 Gold Buffalo coins, although this number changes regularly, given their annual production numbers. The breakdown is roughly 4.1 million standard bullion coins, 700,000 proof versions, and 50,000 uncirculated specimens.
Unlike the United States, the Royal Mint doesn’t release annual mintage stats, making it difficult to pinpoint precise numbers. Since its release, the Gold Britannia has only been minted to demand.
Gold Buffalo vs Gold Britannia Value: How They Track Gold Prices
Like most gold bullion coins, Gold Buffalos and Gold Britannias are evaluated primarily based on their gold content. Thus, the value of these coins tends to be closely tied to gold prices.
For example, a 1 troy ounce Gold Buffalo or Gold Britannia with 99.99% purity would be worth roughly the spot price, which is measured in price-per-ounce. In the case of the Gold Britannia’s fractional sizes, their value is proportionate to their weight in gold.
Proof and uncirculated coins or those from limited mint years from both series often fetch higher prices due to their scarcity and collectible appeal.
Gold Buffalo vs Gold Britannia Sizes, Denominations, & Weights
Gold Buffalo
| Size | Face Value | Total Weight (grams) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 oz | $50 | ~31.108 g |
| ½ oz* | $25 | ~15.564 g |
| ¼ oz* | $10 | ~7.776 g |
| 1/10 oz* | $5 | ~3.11 g |
* Fractional Gold Buffalos were only released in 2008 as proof and uncirculated coins.
Gold Britannia
| Size | Face Value | Total Weight (grams) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 oz | £500 | ~156.295 g |
| 1 oz | £100 | ~31.104 g |
| ½ oz | £50 | ~15.60 g |
| ¼ oz | £25 | ~7.86 g |
| 1/10 oz | £10 | ~3.13 g |
| 1/20 oz | £5 | ~1.58 g |
| 1/40 oz | Not standardized | ~0.78 g |
Gold Buffalo vs Gold Britannia IRA Eligibility: Which Coins Qualify?
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) outlines a handful of precious metals coins that can be held within a self-directed Individual Retirement Account (IRA). This pertains to both domestic and foreign coins.
Coinage must meet certain purity and size regulations to be considered IRA-eligible. For example, the IRS requires gold bullion coins to have at least 99.5% purity and be 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, or 1/10 oz to be held in a gold IRA.
All Gold Buffalo coins fit this description (even the one-off 2008 proof fractionals), given their 0.9999 fineness rating and eligible size. However, only certain Gold Britannias meet these requirements.
More specifically, no coins minted before 2013 are allowed due to their 91.67% gold content. Furthermore, 5 oz, 1/20 oz, and 1/40 oz Gold Britannias are also not permitted because of size restrictions.
Is the Gold Buffalo or Gold Britannia a “better” investment?
In reality, neither the Gold Buffalo nor the Gold Britannia is an inherently “better” asset. The right investment will be determined by your specific investment goals, budget, time horizon, and personal preferences.
Speaking with a precious metals advisor from Scottsdale Bullion & Coin can help you decide what coins most fittingly align with your current situation. Contact us today by calling toll-free at 1-888-812-9892 or using our live chat to receive personalized advice.
👉 Suggested Read: Silver Eagle vs. Maple Leaf: Which Coin Should You Buy?