SD Bison Gold Coins
The SD Bison coins (aka SD Buffalo coins) were made in the Black Hills of South Dakota. They were made in three years, 1987, 1988, and 1989.
In 1989, the records were not kept very well. It is estimated the quantities were 1/2 of the 1988 sales. The 1989 quantities below are based on rumor and word of mouth.
The coins sizes are 1/20 oz, 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, 1 oz, 2 oz, 5 oz, and 10 oz.
The quantities of SD Bison coins sold were as follows:
Gold Bison | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 |
1/20 oz | 394 | 329 | ** |
1/10 oz | 615 | 257 | 95* |
1/4 oz | 466 | 180 | ** |
1/2 oz | 375 | 182 | ** |
1 oz | 2423 | 1290 | ** |
2 oz | 92 | 31 | 11* |
5 oz | 32 | 13 | 4* |
10 oz | 166*** | 3 | 4* |
* From word of mouth
** Probably 1/2 of 1988 sales
*** Rumor that a dentist bought 160 of these coins, and melted them for use in dentistry.
Although the quantities of the SD Bison gold coin are limited, they have not reached collectable status, and normally sell for the bullion value. Coin shops in the midwest will pay face value of the bullion value for the coin. This is similar to commerative US gold coins, most of which are worth the value of the gold in the coin.