Introduction

In 1997, the immense success of the Gold and Silver American Eagle program led the Mint to expand the series to also include Platinum coins. In addition, this allowed the Mint to compete in the platinum bullion market with other mints of the world. These coins, like the Gold Eagles, were issued in four denominations; $10 tenth ounce, $25 quarter ounce, $50 half ounce, and $100 one ounce. These coins were available in both a Bullion Mint State and Proof issues like the other Eagle coins. In 2006, the mint added the “W Burnished” mint state collector coins.

The obverse design of the coin is simple, yet powerful. It is an up close view of the Statue of Liberty’s face and crown. The word “LIBERTY” appears across the top of the coin in between the points of the crown. To the right is the date with “IN GOD WE TRUST” below it.  The reverse of the coin shows an eagle flying over a setting sun with rays radiating out. The reverse also has the fineness (.9995), weight, and denomination of the coin.

One feature that makes the Platinum Eagles stand out from most other series of coins is that the reverse design changes every year on the Proof coins. The first series of designs for the proofs were “Vistas of Liberty.” These designs depicted different scenes from around the country, like a southwest desert, a swamp in the southeast, and a lighthouse on the coast of New England. In 2003, the designs changed to more generic themes of liberty of patriotism. For 2006, 2007, and 2008, the designs depict the three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial. The bullion coins have retained the same reverse design since 1997. In 2006, the Mint started issuing a collector mint state coin for all of the eagle coins. These coins were differentiated as having a “burnished” finish and a “W” mintmark to distinguish them from the bullion mint state issues. With the Platinum Eagles, the burnished coins also use the same reverse designs from the proof series, to further distinguish them as different coins from the bullion issues.

General Information

Every year, the Mint issues each denomination of Platinum Eagle in a bullion mint state and a proof version. The bullion coins are only available through the mint’s network of distributors and cannot be purchased directly from the mint by an individual. Individuals must either buy in bulk from the distributors or buy from dealers that have bought bulk from the distributors. These coins come in tubes and the tubes in “monster boxes.”

The proof coins are minted specifically for collectors and are sold directly to the public by the mint. They are available individually and as 4 coin sets. Starting in 2006, the mint also issues “W Burnished” mint state coins for collectors. These are distinguished by having a “W” mintmark and also use the same reverse design as the proof coins for the year.

Obverse Design

All Years: “Portrait of Liberty.” Liberty looks to the future in this modern interpretation of an American icon, the Status of Liberty. Designer/Engraver: John Mercanti, United States Mint Sculptor/Engraver.

Proof Issue Reverse Designs

1997: “Eagle Soaring Above America.” America’s symbol of freedom spreads its wings high above our great nation at sunrise.

Designer/Engraver: Thomas D. Rogers, Sr., Sculptor-Engraver, United States Mint.

1997 Market Analysis
With 1997 being the first year of issue, it has created some extra demand even among collectors that aren’t collecting the whole series. The coins of this date don’t come especially nice resulting in less Proof 70s than other dates. Looking at the raw numbers of Proof 70s versus other dates, you will see that 1997 ranks around the middle for the number of Proof 70s. However, it actually ranks lower in the percentage of 70s that have been graded especially with the $10 and $100 coins. These coins are also available in a special green First Year of Issue label.

1998: “Eagle Over New England.” America’s national bird flies along the eastern shore at moonrise.

Designer/Engraver: John Mercanti, Sculptor-Engraver, United States Mint.

1998 Market Analysis
1998 falls in the middle of the rarity scale. The coins are not especially tough, neither are they easy to obtain. Despite a reduced mintage and having similar numbers of Proof 70s as 1997, there is less demand for 1998s than the 1997 coins.

1999: “Eagle Above Southeastern Wetlands.” America’s national symbol flies above an alligator crawling from a primordial swamp.

Designer/Engraver: John Mercanti, Sculptor-Engraver, United States Mint.

1999 Market Analysis
1999 again saw a reduction in the mintage from the previous year, but the difference is not enough to create any premium. In 1999, we also start to see an increase in the quality of the coins. With the $25 and $50 coins, there are actually more Proof 70s graded than 69s. This can be attributed to the better quality of the coins submitted. However, the total number of coins graded by NGC only represents a fraction of the mintage.

2000: “Eagle Above America’s Heartland.” America’s national symbol flies above a Midwestern field.

Designer/Engraver: Al Maletsky, Sculptor-Engraver, United States Mint.

2001: “Eagle Above America’s Southwest.” Featured are the giant Saguaro cacti of the American Southwest.

Designer/Engraver: Thomas D. Rogers, Sculptor-Engraver, United States Mint.

2002: “Eagle Fishing in America’s Northwest.” America’s national symbol fishing in the North Cascades National Park.

Designer/Engraver: Al Maletsky, Sculptor-Engraver, United States Mint.

2000-2002 Market Analysis
These three years again fall into the middle of the rarity scale. The mintage declines from 2000 to 2001 and then increases again slightly in 2002. There is also a dip in quality in the 2001 coins with less Proof 70s graded than 2000 and 2002, with the dip being most noticeable in the $100 coins. Despite that dip, the 2001s bring only a small premium over 2000 and 2002.

2003: “Patriotic Vigilance.” Our national symbol is perched on a Rocky Mountain pine branch against a backdrop of Old Glory

Designer/Engraver: Al Maletsky, Sculptor-Engraver, United States Mint.

2004: Inspired by the Daniel Chester French sculpture titled “America” that sits before the U.S. Customs House in New York City.

Designer/Engraver: Donna Weaver, Sculptor-Engraver, United States Mint.

2004 Market Analysis
2004 is the key date for the Proof Platinum Eagles. The mintage of each denomination dropped by almost 2000 coins or more from 2003. The quality of these coins is quite good, resulting in many Proof 70s. Even though the numbers are similar to previous years, due to the underlying scarcity and demand for these coins, the prices are much higher than coins of other years.

2005: An American bald eagle sits perched upon a heraldic shield surrounded by symbols that represent America’s strength and bounty.

Designer/Engraver: Donna Weaver, Sculptor-Engraver, United States Mint.

2005 Market Analysis
2005 is considered a semi-key date. These coins bring a premium over other years while also being even better quality than the previous issues of proof platinum eagles. A higher percentage of coins were graded Proof 70, but demand has kept the prices of these coins higher than other years.

2006: A legislative muse looks in another direction from the law she has just inscribed as if to examine and reconsider its durability and integrity over time.

Designer: Joel Iskowitz, Master Designer, United States Mint Atistic Infusion Program


Engraver: Don Everhart, United States Mint Sculptor/Engraver

2007: A bald eagle is featured with its wings spread wide to represent freedom with a shield at the ready to enforce the laws that guarantee those freedoms.

Designer: Thomas Cleveland, Master Designer, United States Mint Atistic Infusion Program


Engraver: Phebe Hemphill, United States Mint Sculptor/Engraver

2006-2007 Market Analysis
The hype and numismatic media attention of the 2004 and 2005 Proof Platinum coins seemed to cause a boost in sales in 2006 since collectors didn’t want to miss out on the next key date. There was a slight decline in mintage in 2007, except for the half ounce coins, although this is an anomaly. The Mint issued a 10th Anniversary Platinum Set in 2007 that had a $50 Proof and a $50 Reverse Proof. This causes a significant skew in the mintage for the $50 Proofs of this year since almost 20,000 sets were sold. Overall, the 2006 and 2007 issues fall towards the less scarce end of the rarity scale. Coupled with the good quality, the rise of the modern market in general, and the numbers of coins out there, the Proof 70s are more available than previous years.

2008: Lady Justice holding scales representing the delicate balance of the law and a sword signifying the power that is held by those making decisions. In the background, the bald eagle watches over our Nation’s firm foundation of democracy.

Designer: Joel Iskowitz, Master Designer, United States Mint Atistic Infusion Program


Engraver: Charles Vickers, United States Mint Sculptor/Engraver

2008 Market Analysis
With the excitement seemingly having died down since 2005, 2008 saw the lowest mintages for Proof Platinum coins. The 2008s haven’t yet overtaken the 2004 in value despite being scarcer. This is partly because of the marketing and hype occurred with the 2004s. There are many of these coins that are currently being held by collectors that don’t normally collect Proof Platinum Eagles. This has created a lower supply on the market and higher prices than the 2008 coins. In the future, these coins likely will become the key date of the series, barring another year with even lower mintages.