US Platinum Eagle coins

MS-70 coins

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Platinum American Eagle coins

Descriptions - weights and sizes

Bullion platinum US coins

Beginning in 1997 the United States government began minting solid platinum coins to sell to investors and collectors.  The word “eagle” in the name of this coin refers to the reverse design, which always depicts an eagle or eagles on it.  The obverse (front) shows a close up portrait of the Statue of Liberty.  All years and sizes have the same obverse design.

Platinum is a silver-nickel colored metal with a rarity higher than gold.  Its unique characteristics give it a density (heaviness) like gold.  Mintages on most years are small, thereby making many dates somewhat scarce and hard to locate. 

Four different sizes of US Platinum Eagle coins are made each year: 

• Tenth ounce,

• Fourth ounce,

• Half ounce, and

• One ounce. 

Each coin features close up portrait of the Statue of Liberty’s head on the front (obverse). 

Two versions – Proof and Brilliant Uncirculated

There are both proof and Brilliant uncirculated versions made each year, in each size.  The proofs have a W mint mark on the reverse, indicating they were minted at the West Point United States government mint.  The Brilliant uncirculated don’t and were produced at the United States government mint in Philadelphia.  Each is legal tender and backed by the United States government. 

Although pure platinum is scarce and expensive, the Brilliant uncirculated coins are usually more economically priced and sell at a reasonable premium over the going platinum metals price.  The proof platinum eagle coins are sold by the mint during the year of issue, at a higher premium because of their special mint treatment and packaging.  This higher cost often translates into fewer being minted, increasing their scarcity and sometimes future prices.     Also, the proof reverse design changes each year, which adds interest to collectors.  (The Brilliant Uncirculated ones have the same reverse design every year.)  (Click here to See our article explaining more about the difference between proof and uncirculated.)

Other facts about the American Platinum Eagle coins:

• Designer (obverse-front) was John M. Mercanti

• Designer (1997 reverse) was Thomas D Rogers, Sr. 

• Different designers created the proof reverses, because the proof reverse design varies each year.

• Composition is 99.95% pure platinum, sometimes referred to as “.9995 fine”

• Proofs and uncirculated versions of the coins contain the same amount of Platinum.

 Weights and diameter for different size

American Platinum Eagle Coins:

For more information about the metal platinum click here.   

To view our limited supply of Platinum coins - click here.

Related resources:

More about Platinum Eagle coins (weights sizes and designs)

Click here for gold eagle coins.   Click here for silver eagle coins.

Visit our resource page for other articles about coins.

Mintage figures for US Platinum coins - click here

Platinum prices per ounce

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