American Gold Eagle vs. Gold Buffalo: Which Should You Buy?
Both 1 oz coins hold exactly one troy ounce of gold, so they have the same melt value. The Gold Eagle is 22-karat (91.67% gold) and the Buffalo is 24-karat (.9999), per the US Mint. As of Nov 11, 2026, 9:49 AM ET, the lowest 1 oz Gold Eagle is $4,161.89 at MintBuilder (3.7% over spot) and the lowest Buffalo is $4,169.90 at MintBuilder (3.9%). Today the Gold Eagle is $8.01 cheaper.
Both are official U.S. Mint gold bullion coins. In the 1 oz size, both contain one troy ounce of gold. The main difference is the alloy.
| Spec | Gold Eagle | Gold Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Purity | 22 karat (91.67% gold, alloyed with silver and copper) | 24 karat (.9999 fine) |
| Gold content (1 oz coin) | 1 troy oz | 1 troy oz |
| Face value (1 oz) | $50 | $50 |
Because each 1 oz coin holds one troy ounce of gold, their melt values are the same: see Gold Eagle melt value and Gold Buffalo melt value.
Price today
| 1 oz coin | Lowest price | Lowest premium | Median premium | Dealers priced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Eagle | $4,161.89 (MintBuilder) | 3.7% | 5.2% | 8 |
| Gold Buffalo | $4,169.90 (MintBuilder) | 3.9% | 6.9% | 7 |
Which was cheaper, day by day
Since Oct 15, 2026, the Eagle had the lower daily low on 20 of 27 days and the Buffalo on 7. The median gap was $26.71 in the Eagle's favor.
| Date (ET) | Gold Eagle daily low | Gold Buffalo daily low | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed Nov 11 | $4,161.89 | $4,169.90 | Eagle |
| Tue Nov 10 | $4,156.19 | $4,171.30 | Eagle |
| Mon Nov 9 | $4,223.19 | $4,249.90 | Eagle |
| Sun Nov 8 (weekend) | $4,183.29 | $4,211.90 | Eagle |
| Sat Nov 7 (weekend) | $4,241.25 | $4,140.55 | Buffalo |
| Fri Nov 6 | $4,216.52 | $4,136.10 | Buffalo |
| Thu Nov 5 | $4,210.30 | $4,191.60 | Buffalo |
| Wed Nov 4 | $4,106.85 | $4,114.10 | Eagle |
| Mon Nov 2 | $4,043.40 | $4,027.05 | Buffalo |
| Sun Nov 1 (weekend) | $4,020.30 | $4,026.90 | Eagle |
| Sat Oct 31 (weekend) | $3,957.89 | $4,026.90 | Eagle |
| Fri Oct 30 | $3,957.89 | $4,023.30 | Eagle |
| Thu Oct 29 | $4,071.39 | $4,141.80 | Eagle |
| Wed Oct 28 | $4,119.89 | $4,194.90 | Eagle |
| Tue Oct 27 | $4,064.49 | $4,146.80 | Eagle |
| Mon Oct 26 | $4,068.39 | $4,055.87 | Buffalo |
| Sun Oct 25 (weekend) | $4,056.79 | $4,055.87 | Buffalo |
| Sat Oct 24 (weekend) | $4,065.97 | $4,064.95 | Buffalo |
| Fri Oct 23 | $4,055.20 | $4,064.95 | Eagle |
| Thu Oct 22 | $4,081.89 | $4,137.20 | Eagle |
| Wed Oct 21 | $4,202.49 | $4,266.70 | Eagle |
| Tue Oct 20 | $4,184.49 | $4,260.30 | Eagle |
| Mon Oct 19 | $4,203.73 | $4,209.83 | Eagle |
| Sun Oct 18 (weekend) | $4,242.72 | $4,316.70 | Eagle |
| Sat Oct 17 (weekend) | $4,242.72 | $4,316.70 | Eagle |
| Fri Oct 16 | $4,241.19 | $4,315.70 | Eagle |
| Thu Oct 15 | $4,230.50 | $4,298.27 | Eagle |
Which is cheaper?
Both hold the same gold, so the better buy is the one with the lower premium on the day you buy. Check live prices: Gold Eagle vs Gold Buffalo.
Other considerations
- 22k gold is harder and resists scratches. 24k is softer and marks more easily.
- Both are widely recognized by U.S. dealers. If you just want gold at the lowest premium, also compare the Krugerrand, Maple Leaf and 1 oz gold bars from several dealers.
FAQ
Which is better, Gold Eagle or Gold Buffalo?
For the most gold per dollar, whichever has the lower premium on the day you buy: both hold one troy ounce. The Eagle's 22-karat alloy is harder and resists scratches; the Buffalo is 24-karat and marks more easily. Neither has more melt value.
Do Gold Eagles contain less gold than Buffalos?
No. The 1 oz Gold Eagle contains one troy ounce of gold; it weighs more in total because of the added alloy metals.