2019 Smithsonian Gold & Silver Buffalo at the Castle 3-Piece Set NGC PF70UC - Niekerk Signed Label

A New Series Honoring Our National Zoo

Did you know that when the National Zoo first opened in Washington, D.C. 130 years ago, people could only expect to see two types of animals: a small heard of Buffalo and a single Golden Eagle. Of course, this was still a genuine thrill, as most people form the East Coast had never seen a “Western” animal like the great American Buffalo. But when a small herd was brought to live in a pen behind the Smithsonian® Castle, families from all around the area began making routine trips to see the mighty beasts. The attraction proved to be so popular that a bill was eventually drafted and signed by then-President Grover Cleveland, and the National Zoo was born!

To honor this great institution, the Smithsonian has authorized the release of a series celebrating the founding of the National Zoo. Designed by six-time Coin of the Year-winner Natanya van Niekerk, known for her Gold Natura Africa Wildlife series from the South African Mint, the first release of the brand-new series displays the American Buffalo. It’s shown striding across the face of the coin above the words, “FOUNDING OF THE NATIONAL ZOO” and beneath a sky lit by the Smithsonian’s own sun emblem. The reverse features President Grover Cleveland along with the sun emblem and date.

You can secure this beautiful first entry of an all-new series in a limited-edition three-piece gold and silver proof set. The set includes two gold coins – a one-ounce proof and a quarter-ounce proof – struck in highly-pure 99.9% gold, and a dazzling one-ounce silver proof struck in 99.9% silver. Each has been graded by the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) as being in PERFECT Proof-70 Ultra Cameo (PF70UC) condition, a distinction that means your perfectly-graded proof will have ZERO imperfections – showing all features and fields exactly as the engraver and mint intendeds.

As the first entry in a new series, this 2019 Smithsonian Buffalo at the Castle Three-Piece Good & Silver Proof Set is sure to be a hit with collectors. Its buffalo theme is reminiscent of James Earle Fraser’s famous Buffalo Nickel design issued from 1913-1938 and now currently used on the U.S. Mint’s American Buffalo gold bullion coin. It also represents Niekerk’s first-ever American wildlife design – an astonishing coup for the Smithsonian to recruit such an accomplished designer! To solidify that relationship, Niekerk has also personally signed the labels that have been encapsulated with these proofs!

Don’t miss the beginning of this incredible series. With just 50 three-piece gold & silver proof sets available you will need to order now to avoid disappointment later!

• FIRST RELEASE IN NEW SERIES – This buffalo design is the FIRST release in an exciting new series that pays tribute to the National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C. Often referred to as the National Zoo; it’s actually part of the Smithsonian® Institution. The first buffalo at the zoo were kept in a pen behind the man administration building at the Smithsonian Castle.

• BRILLIANT IMAGES FROM AWARD-WINNING DESIGNER – These fabulous proofs are the work of award-winning designer Natanya van Niekerk, who has created many of the most popular designs in the South African Mint’s wildly popular Natura series. The proof’s obverse shows a highly-detailed shaggy buffalo on a mound above the inscription FOUNDING OF THE NATIONAL ZOO. The reverse design shows President Grover Cleveland, who in 1889 signed an Act of Congress that created the National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C.

• STRUCK IN HIGHLY-PURE GOLD AND SILVER – Each Buffalo at the Castle Proof has been struck in either 99.9% gold or 99.9% silver.

• GRADED IN FLAWLESS PROOF CONDITION – The proofs in your 2019 Smithsonian Buffalo at the Castle Three-Piece Gold & Silver Proof Set have been graded by the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) as being in PERFECT Proof-70 Ultra Cameo (PF70UC) condition, a distinction that means your perfectly-graded proof will have ZERO imperfections – showing all features and fields exactly as the engraver and mint intended!

• INCLUDES EXCLUSIVE SIGNATURE OF THE COIN’S DESIGNER – Each of the coins have been sonically sealed in a protective coin capsule with a label that has been personally signed by Natanya van Niekerk, the award-winning designer of this release!

• EXTREMELY LIMITED EDITION – The worldwide maximum limited edition for the 2019 Smithsonian Buffalo at the Castle Three=-Piece Gold & Silver Proof has been set at only 50.

The 2019 Smithsonian Buffalo at the Castle Three-Piece Gold & Silver Proof Set is the FIRST release in a new series honoring the Smithsonian National Zoo. Don’t miss out – click one to your cart today!