Platinum Eagles, ModernCoinMart

In 1997, the U.S. Mint added to their successful American Eagle series, then comprised of Gold and Silver Eagles, with the birth of the American Platinum Eagle. Made of .9995 fine Platinum, the coins were the first in U.S. history to be minted of the highly precious metal, whose value far exceeds that of gold.

The Obverse: The obverse of the American Platinum Eagle, designed by John Mercanti, features the head of Lady Liberty, as depicted on the Statue of Liberty. This vantage point symbolizes Lady Liberty looking towards the future. Between the rays of her crown is the word LIBERTY, written in large letters.

The Reverse: Designed by Thomas D. Rogers, the reverse of the American Platinum Eagle depicts a Bald Eagle soaring past a rising sun. This design has remained on the uncirculated pieces since 1997, but left the proof coins, which have received a new reverse each year, in 1998. The designs for the proof reverses have been:

1997: Bald Eagle flying past rising sun.

1998: Bald Eagle flying over a rocky New England coast, which features a house and light house. In the sky is a full moon.

1999: Bald Eagle flying over the wetlands of the Southeast, with an alligator in a swamp below.

2000: Bald Eagle flying over a Midwestern farm, complete with fields, house, barn, and granary.

2001: Bald Eagle flying over giant (Saguaro) cacti of the Southwestern deserts.

2002: Bald Eagle about to catch a fish in a lake surrounded by trees and snowcapped mountains.

2003: Bald Eagle on the branch of a Rocky Mountain Pine, situated in front of a flying American Flag.

2004: Lady Liberty seated with a torch in her right hand and grains draped over her knee. In front of her is a Bald Eagle clutching an olive branch in its talons. The design was inspired by the sculpture "America," located outside the United States Customs House in New York City, by Daniel Chester French.

2005: Herladic Eagle behind a shield, olive branch, and cornucopia. These represent the strength and beauty of the United States.

2006: A depiction of the Legislative muse inscribing the law. She is flanked on both sides by two pillars which represent the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. Atop each pillar is a Bald Eagle, protecting the new law. This is the first of three designs which will depict the three branches of American government: Legislative, Judicial, and Executive. The latter two designs will be released in 2007 and 2008.

2007: A depiction of a Heraldic Eagle representing the Executive branch of government holding a streamer in its beak that bears the word "FREEDOM". This is the second in a three year program honoring the three branches of government.

2008: A design honoring the Judicial branch of government. This is the third and final in a three year program honoring the three branches of government.

The American Platinum Eagle is available in the following denominations:

	Diameter	Thickness	Weight
$10 (1/10 oz.) Platinum Eagle	16.5mm (0.650 in.)	.95mm (0.037 in.)	0.1001 Troy oz. (3.112g, 0.110 oz.)
$25 (1/4 oz.) Platinum Eagle	22mm (0.866 in.)	1.32mm (0.052 in.)	0.2501 Troy oz. (7.780g, 0.274 oz.)
$50 (1/2 oz.) Platinum Eagle	27mm (1.063 in.)	1.75mm (0.069 in.)	0.5003 Troy oz. (15.560g, 0.549 oz.)
$100 (1 oz.) Platinum Eagle	32.7mm (1.287 in.)	2.39mm (0.094 in.)	1.0005 Troy oz. (31.120g, 1.098 oz.)

American Platinum Eagles are struck yearly as both uncirculated (mint state) and proof pieces. Mint state Platinum Eagles feature matte fields and slightly mirrored devices. Proof Platinum Eagles are standard proofs with deep mirrored fields and frosty devices. A reverse proof (frosty fields and deep mirrored devices) was struck in 2007 to honor the 10th Anniversary of the Platinum Eagle program.