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Platinum Eagles
Authorized in 1996 by the U.S. Congress, the American Platinum Eagle was first minted in 1997, they are the only platinum coins guaranteed by the U.S. Mint. They are minted in .9995 fine platinum, virtually the finest platinum available, and backed by the United States Mint for weight, content, and purity. They are United States legal tender, with a symbolic face value in U.S. dollars, as proof of their authenticity as official U.S. coinage. Keep reading to learn about these gorgeous platinum additions to the American Eagle Series.
Fractional Platinum Eagles
The U.S. Mint began striking Platinum Eagles in four denominations in 1997, with weights that match their complement Gold Eagle coins. Platinum Eagles come in fractional sizes and a range of denominations. The Platinum Eagle sizes are the popular 1 oz. size and fractional sizes of 1⁄10, 1⁄4, and 1⁄2 troy oz. The one-ounce platinum coin displays the highest face value ($100) ever to appear on a U.S. coin; the half-ounce (½-oz) has a $50 face value; the quarter-ounce (¼-oz) has a face value of $25, and; the tenth-ounce (1/10-oz) has a $10 face value. Fractional coins have the same design as the popular one ounce, except for the reverse inscriptions of the weight and face value of the coin. The face value as legal tender does not reflect the actual intrinsic value, which of course, is much higher than the face value. The price of platinum bullion coins varies, based on the market price of platinum, and by its weight. The nice thing about owning fractional Platinum Eagles, is that it is an affordable way to own Platinum.
Proof and Burnished Platinum Eagles
Uncirculated and Proof versions of the American Platinum Eagle are primarily made to attract collectors. Proofs of this coin are unique since they are the only American bullion coins that annually change designs on the reverse side. Platinum eagle proof and burnished American Platinum Eagles are highly coveted and collected in proof and mint state grades. These coins are produced at the West Point Mint in West Point and carry the mint's “W” mark beneath the date. Proof American Platinum Eagles are the U.S. Mint’s finest and are an excellent cornerstone piece of any personal collection. The Proof Platinum Eagle is one of the most beautiful coins in the world and is struck on specially prepared coin blanks (planchets) multiple times to provide a unique and dramatic proof-mirrored finish that appeals to collectors and bullion enthusiasts alike. The Burnished American Platinum Eagle is struck using a special coining process that is similar to the one used in the production of proof coins with a polished planchet, giving the coin a softly frosted finish that gives the appearance of the design (device) floating above the deeply-mirrored background (field).
Platinum Eagle Designs:
As a tribute to the patriotism and spirit of freedom of the United States, Platinum American Eagles are beautifully designed with the iconic “Portrait of Liberty” on the obverse. The Statue of Liberty design by John Mercanti, the U.S. Mint chief engraver, depicts Lady Liberty looking towards the future as a modern interpretation of American’s most favorite icon. The perspective is centered on the head of the Statue of Liberty, her gaze towards the horizon. Struck in sharp contrast, the head of the Statue of Liberty is made to seem as if the coin is staring at you, creating a visually striking platinum coin. The word LIBERTY is stretched along the top of the coin and accompanied by the engravings of the year of minting date and the motto, “In God We Trust.”
Former U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver, Thomas D. Rogers, designed the regular reverse, featuring a soaring American Bald Eagle flying majestically with the sun’s rays in the background. Inscriptions of “United States of America,” with the coin’s face value, metal content, purity, and weight. This is the only U.S. coin that changes its reverse design each year. The Vistas of Liberty series, from 1998-2002, features an American bald eagle, portrayed in different regions of the country. The Foundations of Democracy series, from 2006-2008, features the three branches of government on the reverse designs. The Preamble to the Constitution series, from 2009-2014, features our core concepts of American democracy. The Torches of Liberty series, from 2015-2016, features designs that represent the "nation's core values of liberty and freedom," from designers in the U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program. The Preamble to the Declaration of Independence series from 2018-2020, features Lady Liberty with different designs, with a single-word from the Declaration of Independence, inscribed in handwritten detail on the obverse, and features a new common reverse design. Platinum Eagle designs exhibit the fine details and high quality that is expected from the U.S. Mint.
What is Platinum?
In the 1500s, Platinum, a dense, gray-white metal, was discovered by Conquistadors, who named it “platina,” a Spanish word which translates to “little Silver.” Platinum has been referred to as the "most precious of the precious metals," because its rarity far exceeds gold and silver, with only a few hundred tons of Platinum is produced annually. Even though Platinum is one of the rarer elements in the Earth’s crust, it is commonly seen in fine jewelry, with recent surges for use in industrial and medical applications, causing increased demand for rising prices. Platinum, in the form of bullion coins, has become a popular precious metal option, sought out by collectors due to its rarity and value. American Eagle Platinum coins are one of the most popular bullion coins from the United States Mint. They are also the number one platinum bullion coin in the world and the most widely-traded of all Platinum Bullion coins. The United States Government guarantees Platinum Eagle bullion coin’s weight, content and purity.
