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| Platinum Eagle (United States) |
| Edge: |
Reeded |
| Composition: |
99.95% Pt |
| Years of Minting: |
1997–present |
| Common Obverse |
 |
| Design: |
Liberty looking to the future |
| Designer: |
John Mercanti |
| Design Date: |
1997 |
| Bullion Reverse |
 |
| Design: |
"Lady Justice" watched over by an American Bald Eagle |
| Designer: |
Charles Vickers |
| Design Date: |
2008 |
The American Platinum Eagle is the official platinum bullion coin of the United States. The coins were first released by the United States Mint in 1997. It is offered in 1/10, 1/4, 1/2, and 1 troy oz varieties and consists of .9995 fine platinum. The American Platinum Eagle is authorized by the United States Congress and is backed by the United States Mint for weight and content.
Proof and uncirculated versions of the coins are also made for coin collectors. The proof and uncirculated American Platinum Eagles are unique in the fact that they are the only U.S. bullion coins that have a yearly alternating design on the reverse.
Because it may be considered commodity platinum rather than a rare coin, the American Platinum Eagle may be placed in an Individual Retirement Account in the United States. Collectibles such as rare coins and dolls are forbidden from being held in such an account. Thus, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission believes that the Platinum Eagle will not appreciate beyond its metal value.
[edit] Specifications
| 1/10 troy oz coin |
| Diameter: |
16.5 mm |
| Thickness: |
0.95 mm |
| Weight: |
0.1001 troy oz (3.112 g) |
| Face value: |
$10 |
| 1/4 troy oz coin |
| Diameter: |
22.0 mm |
| Thickness: |
1.32 mm |
| Weight: |
0.2501 troy oz (7.780 g) |
| Face value: |
$25 |
| 1/2 troy oz coin |
| Diameter: |
27.0 mm |
| Thickness: |
1.75 mm |
| Weight: |
0.5003 troy oz (15.560 g) |
| Face value: |
$50 |
| 1 troy oz coin |
| Diameter: |
32.7 mm |
| Thickness: |
2.39 mm |
| Weight: |
1.0005 troy oz (31.120 g) |
| Face value: |
$100 |
Note: The 1/10, 1/4, and 1/2 troy oz coins are identical in design to the 1 troy oz coin except for the markings on the reverse side that indicate the weight and face value of the coin (for example, .9995 PLATINUM 1 OZ.). As is often the case with bullion coins, the face values of these coins ($10, $25, $50, and $100) are purely symbolic and do not reflect their intrinsic value.
[edit] Reverse of proof coins
From 1998 to 2002, proof versions of the American Platinum Eagle carried a different reverse design under a program entitled "Vistas of Liberty". Each year a bald eagle was depicted in a different region of the United States or a United States themed design. From 2006 to 2008, a three year series of designs known as "The Foundations of Democracy" was issued to represent the three branches of government. [1] All denominations of the proof American Platinum Eagles carry the yearly design. These coins are the only U.S. bullion coins that change reverse designs every year.
| Year |
Design |
Description |
Engraver |
| 1997 |
 |
Eagle soaring above America |
Thomas D. Rogers |
| 1998 |
 |
Bald Eagle flying over New England and rocky beach town with light house; full moon in sky |
Thomas D. Rogers |
| 1999 |
 |
Bald Eagle flying above Southeastern Wetlands and alligator crawling in a swamp |
Al Maletsky |
| 2000 |
 |
Bald Eagle flying above Midwestern field, barn and house |
Al Maletsky |
| 2001 |
 |
Bald Eagle flying above giant Saguaro cacti of the Southwest (specifically Arizona) |
Thomas D. Rogers |
| 2002 |
 |
Swooping Bald Eagle and a lake bordered by snowcapped mountains and trees in the Northwestern US |
Al Maletsky |
| 2003 |
 |
Bald Eagle perched on a Rocky Mountain pine branch against a backdrop of the United States Flag |
Al Maletsky |
| 2004 |
 |
Engraving inspired by the Daniel Chester French sculpture titled "America" outside the U.S. Customs House in New York City. |
Donna Weaver |
| 2005 |
 |
American Bald Eagle perched on a heraldic shield with symbols representing America’s strength and beauty |
Donna Weaver |
| 2006 |
 |
"Legislative Muse" flanked by two Eagles perched on columns representing both houses of Congress |
Don Everhart |
| 2007 |
 |
American Bald Eagle representing the executive branch |
Phebe Hemphill |
| 2008 |
 |
"Lady Justice" watched over by an American Bald Eagle |
Charles Vickers |
[edit] Mintage figures
Non-Proof Coins
| Year |
$10 – 1/10 oz. |
$25 – 1/4 oz. |
$50 – 1/2 oz. |
$100 – 1 oz. |
| 1997 |
70,250 |
27,100 |
20,500 |
56,000 |
| 1998 |
39,525 |
38,887 |
32,419 |
133,002 |
| 1999 |
55,955 |
39,734 |
32,309 |
56,707 |
| 2000 |
34,027 |
20,054 |
18,892 |
10,003 |
| 2001 |
52,017 |
21,815 |
12,815 |
14,070 |
| 2002 |
23,005 |
27,405 |
24,005 |
11,502 |
| 2003 |
22,007 |
25,207 |
17,409 |
8,007 |
| 2004 |
15,010 |
18,010 |
13,236 |
7,009 |
| 2005 |
14,013 |
12,013 |
9,013 |
6,310 |
| 2006 |
11,001 |
12,001 |
9,602 |
9,330 |
| 2007 |
13,003 |
8,402 |
7,001 |
7,202 |
| 2008 |
13,000 |
20,800 |
12,800 |
20,800 |
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
