American Platinum Eagle

Platinum Eagle (United States)
Edge: Reeded
Composition: 99.95% Pt
Years of minting: 1997–present
Common obverse (Proof)
Design: Liberty looking to the future
Designer: John Mercanti
Design date: 1997
Bullion reverse (Proof)
Design: "To Promote General Welfare"
Designer: Joel Iskowitz
Sculptor: Charles Vickers
Design date: 2008
American Platinum Eagle bullion Uncirculated Strike 1/10 ounce.

The American Platinum Eagle is the official platinum bullion coin of the United States. In 1995, Director of the United States Mint Philip N. Diehl, American Numismatic Association President David L. Ganz, and Platinum Guild International Executive Director Jacques Luben began the legislative process of creating the Platinum Eagle. After over two years of work, 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,[1] 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 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.

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 their legal values reflecting their issue and monetize value as coins. They are legal tender for all debts public and private at their face values. These face values do not reflect their intrinsic value which is much greater.

The U.S. Government, however, has taken the position that paying debts with such coins at their face value, where the face value is lower than its intrinsic value, will implicate money laundering and tax evasion statutes.[2]

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.[3]

In 2009, the United States Mint introduced a new six-year platinum coin program. This new series explores the core concepts of American democracy by highlighting the Preamble to the United States Constitution. The themes for the reverse designs for this program are inspired by narratives prepared by the Chief Justice of the United States, John Roberts, at the request of the United States Mint.[4]

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 the bicameral legislature of the United States Congress Designer: Joel Iskowitz Sculptor: Don Everhart
2007 American bald eagle representing the Executive BranchDesigner: Tom Cleveland Sculptor: Phebe Hemphill
2008 "Lady Justice" watched over by an American bald eagle representing the Judicial Branch Designer: Joel Iskowitz sculptor: Charles Vickers
2009 "To Form a More Perfect Union," featuring four faces representing the diversity of the U.S. Designer: Susan Gamble Sculptor: Phebe Hemphill
2010 Blindfolded "Lady Justice" holding scales in one hand and a laurel branch in the other. The image is representative of the theme "To Establish Justice" Phebe Hemphill
2011 To Insure Domestic Tranquility
2012 To Provide for the Common Defence Designer: Barbara Fox
Engraver: Charles L. Vickers
2013 To Promote General Welfare
2014 To Secure the Blessings of Liberty to Ourselves and our Posterity.
2015 Liberty Nurtures Freedom

Mintage figures

Non-Proof Coins[5]
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 6,000
2007 13,003 8,402 7,001 7,202
2008 17,000 22,800 14,000 21,800
2014 0 0 0 16,900
Proof Coins[5]
Year $10 – 1/10 oz. $25 – 1/4 oz. $50 – 1/2 oz. $100 – 1 oz.
1997 36,993 18,628 15,431 20,851
1998 19,847 14,873 13,836 14,912
1999 19,133 13,507 11,103 12,363
2000 15,651 11,995 11,049 12,453
2001 12,174 8,847 8,254 8,969
2002 12,365 9,282 8,772 9,834
2003 9,534 7,044 7,131 8,246
2004 7,161 5,193 5,063 6,007
2005 8,104 6,592 5,942 6,602
2006 10,205 7,813 7,649 9,152
2007 8,176 6,017 25,519 8,363
2008 5,138 4,153 4,020 4,769
2009 0 0 0 7,945
2010 0 0 0 9,871
2011 0 0 0 14,790
2012 0 0 0 9,081
2013 0 0 0 5,763

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Public Law 104-208, Title V (Page 110 STAT 3009-348, Sec. 524)". Wikisource. September 30, 1996. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  2. ↑ Hornberger, Jacob G. (December 9, 2013). "The U.S. vs. Robert Kahre: A Horrible Miscarriage of Justice". The Future of Freedom Foundation. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  3. ↑ "2006 American Platinum Eagle". Platinum Eagle Guide. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  4. ↑ "American Eagle Coins". United States Mint. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  5. 1 2 "Platinum Eagle Mintages". Platinum Eagle Guide. Retrieved November 29, 2016.

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