The Platinum Eagle Coin From the US Mint

The American Platinum Eagle is recognized as the official platinum bullion coin of the United States. These beautiful and rare coins are highly-sought after as they give investors a convenient way to add platinum to a portfolio that is diversified into precious metals.

First issued in 1997 after being authorized by Congress the previous year, they remain the exclusive investment grade platinum coins to be issued by the U.S. Mint. Imprinted on all American Eagles is a face value, which is displayed in U.S. dollars thereby making them legal tender coins. It may be interesting to note that the one-ounce platinum coin displays a $100.00 denomination, making it the highest face value that has ever appeared on a United States coin. While the face value that is imprinted on the coin is mostly just symbolic, it does in fact give proof of the authenticity, which is extremely important as they are fully backed by the United States Government in terms of their weight, platinum content and purity of.9995.

The Mint also offers gold and silver eagles to collectors and investors as part of it’s offering of investment grade precious metals. Platinum is actually far rarer than gold, making it the favored choice of many longtime coin enthusiasts. Like the Gold and Silver Eagle bullion coins, Platinum Eagles are sold by the Mint through it’s authorized network of approved precious metals dealers and not directly to the public. These dealers then open the market for the general public to make purchases on a wide scale, for as long as the supply remains available.

Unlike the standard bullion versions, the Mint has made the collectible proof versions of the Platinum Eagle available for sale directly to the public since the series began. Each denomination was offered for sale individually, and also as part of a set of four coins. Beginning in it’s very first year of issue, a unique “Impressions of Liberty” set that contained a 1-oz. ounce 1997 Platinum, Gold and Silver Eagle coin. The year after that initial release, beginning in 1998, the Proof version of the Platinum Eagle began a tradition that continues to this day, as the reverse design of the coin was changed annually.

Also, for a relatively short period of time from 2006 up until 2008, an uncirculated version of the coin made strictly for collectors was offered by the United States Mint. These coins were also made available directly to the public, also either all four denominations, for sale individually or as part of a four coin set. They are considerably different from the standard bullion version as the West Point “W” mint mark is featured along with the use of a reverse design that rotates on a yearly basis, similar to the structure of the proof releases.

Source by James Kirkwood

The Platinum Eagle Coin From the US Mint