2006 marks the first year of the American Buffalo Gold Proof Coin Program. The Presidential One Dollar Coin Act of 2005 authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike one ounce, .9999 fine gold bullion coins. These are the first pure gold coins ever issued by the United States Government.

The American Buffalo Gold Proof Coins are collector versions of the official United States Mint American Buffalo Gold Bullion Coins and are available in limited mintages. The designs are based on the original 1913, Type I Buffalo nickel, as designed by James Earle Fraser. The obverse features a profile of a Native American. The reverse features an American Buffalo (also known as a bison).
Also included a blue velvet, satin lined presentation case and accompanied by a custom-designed certificate of authenticity signed by the Director of the United States Mint.