American Platinum Eagle

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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
Non-Proof Reverse

Design:	Eagle soaring above America
Designer:	Thomas D. Rogers
Design Date:	1997

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 oz, 1/2, and 1 troy oz varieties and is guaranteed to contain the stated amount (in troy ounces) 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 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 coin that has a yearly alternating design on the reverse.

Because of the tangibility of the coin as well as platinum's value, the American Platinum Eagle may be used to fund investments such as a government sanctioned Individual Retirement Account.

1 Specifications
2 Reverse of proof coins
3 Mintage figures
4 See also
5 External links

[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. They are still by all means legal tender, however legal debate persists with respect to its value in terms of "income".

[edit] Reverse of proof coins

Beginning in 1998, proof versions of the American Platinum Eagle began a program entitled "Vistas of Liberty". Each year a new design is used on the reverse that portrays a bald eagle in a different region of the United States or a United States themed design. 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	Description	Engraver
1998	Bald Eagle flying over New England and rocky beach town with light house; full moon in sky	?
1999	Bald Eagle flying above Southeastern Wetlands and alligator crawling in a primordial 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. Rodgers
2002	Swooping Bald Eagle and a lake bordered by snowcapped mountains and trees	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

[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