Platinum Eagles

The Platinum American Eagle series entered its third year in 1999. Both coin collectors and precious metals investors were happy to welcome Platinum Eagles as a permanent addition to the bullion program of the United States, which already included Gold Eagle and Silver Eagle coins.

As in prior years, the coins were offered in four different denominations, each with a different fractional platinum weight. The coins included:

• $100 face value: 1 ounce platinum
• $50 face value: 1/2 ounce platinum
• $25 face value: 1/4 ounce platinum
• $10 face value: 1/10 ounce platinum

The 1999 Platinum Eagles were offered in two versions: uncirculated bullion coins and collector’s proof coins. The proof coins featured deep cameo finishes and a new special reverse design under “The Vistas of Liberty” series.

The 1999 design depicts the native American Alligator and the Bald Eagle to celebrate southeastern region of the United States. The design was created by John Mercanti. It uses a blend of incuse and relief techniques. The obverse design remained as the familiar rendition of the Statue of Liberty, also by John Mercanti.

Proof coins originally went on sale July 23, 1999. Coins were offered in individual one-ounce, half-ounce, quarter-ounce, and tenth ounce sizes, as well as a four coin set containing one of each size. Prices remained the same as in prior years.

The table below provides the final mintage figures for each denomination of the 1999 Proof Platinum Eagle along with the original issue prices. Information is from the US Mint.

1999 Proof Platinum Eagle Mintages

The next table provides the mintages for the bullion version of the 1999 Platinum Eagle. Information is from the Red Book.

1999 Bullion Platinum Eagle Mintages

During the calendar year of 1999, the spot price of platinum ranged from a low of $325.50 to a high of $457.00. The cumulative average price for all of 1998 was $377.93.

The Platinum American Eagle program entered its second year of release in 1998. In the prior year, Platinum Eagles proved themselves popular with collectors and investors by selling over 100,000 ounces in less than six months. This more than doubled the initial sales goals that the Mint had set before the series was released.

The 1998 American Platinum Eagles added a new twist. As in the prior year, coins were offered in both uncirculated bullion versions and collectible proof versions. In addition, the same four denominations were offered: one-ounce $100 face value coin, one-half ounce $50 face value, one-quarter ounce $25 face value, and one-tenth ounce $10 face value coins. The change had to do with the reverse design of the proof versions of the coins.

Now the twist, for 1998 the US Mint began a series known as the “Vistas of Liberty.” The new program was scheduled for the next five years to provide rotating reverse designs highlighting national landscapes. These new reverse designs would be used on the collectible proof versions of the coins.

According to then Mint Director Philip Diehl, “The Vistas of Liberty designs will profile the unique character and charisma of our Nation’s diverse landscapes, capturing the spirit and strength of America and its people.”

The 1998 Platinum Eagle design featured a bald eagle in flight off the coast of New England. In the background was a lighthouse on a cliff and the rising moon. The sculptor/engraver for the design was John Mercanti. John Mercanti’s “Portrait of Liberty” remained in use for the obverse design.

The Mint trimmed the total authorized mintage by 36% since the inaugural year of a series usually sells stronger than subsequent years. Pricing for the proof coins remained the same as the prior year. The following table provides the final mintage figures for all denominations of the 1998 Proof Platinum Eagle plus the original issue prices. Information is from the US Mint.

1998 Proof Platinum Eagle Mintages

The second table shows the mintages for the uncirculated bullion version of the 1998 Platinum Eagle. Information is from the Red Book.

1998 Bullion Platinum Eagle Mintages

During the calendar year of 1998, the spot price of platinum ranged from a low of $335.00 to a high of $429.00. The cumulative average price for all of 1998 was $372.15.

The American Eagle Bullion coin program welcomed a new addition in 1997 when Platinum Eagles were first issued. This was also the first time the United States Mint issued a coin minted in platinum.

The 99.95% pure platinum coins were authorized as part of the Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations for Fiscal Year 1997 (PL 104-208). At the time of release the US Mint Director was Philip N. Diehl and the US Treasury Secretary was Robert E. Rubin.

The 1997 American Platinum Eagle was available in 4 denominations, each with a specified fractional weight of platinum and a US legal tender value:

• 1 ounce : $100 Face Value
• 1/2 ounce : $50 Face Value
• 1/4 ounce : $25 Face Value
• 1/10 ounce : $10 Face Value

The obverse design of the coin features John Mercanti’s “Portrait of Liberty.” This is a rendition of the Statue of Liberty. The reverse design features Thomas D. Roger Sr.’s “Soaring Bald Eagle.” This is an image of a soaring Bald Eagle against a background sunrise.

Bullion versions of the 1997 Platinum Eagle were available from major coin and precious metals dealers based on the market price of platinum plus a premium.

Proof versions of the coins were also offered to collectors directly from the US Mint. These coins were first offered on June 6, 1997 in one ounce, one-half ounce, one-quarter ounce, one-tenth ounce sizes. The coins were also offered as a 4-Coin set containing one of each denomination, and a 3-Coin “Impressions of Liberty” set containing one ounce 1997 Proof Gold, Silver, and Platinum Eagles.

In this first year of issue, the mintages for the coin were some of the highest in the series. The table below provides mintage figures for 1997 proof Platinum Eagle in all denominations. Also included are the figures for the 4-Coin and 3-Coin Sets issued the same year. Information is from the US Mint.

1997 Proof Platinum Eagle Mintages

The second table contains mintages for the bullion version of the 1997 Platinum Eagle in all denominations. Information is from the Red Book.

1997 Bullion Platinum Eagle Mintages

During 1997, the spot price of platinum ranged from a low of $342.50 to a high of $497.00.  The cumulative average price for all of 1997 was $395.23.