American Platinum Eagle
The United States Mint had been producing gold and silver American Eagles for investors and collectors since 1986. However, another precious metal popular with investors did not see its introduction as a bullion coin until 1997. The American Platinum Eagle series was the first of its kind in the United States, and save for a very small number of coins previously struck in the precious metal, they were the first platinum coins struck by the United States Mint. Less popular than the gold and silver eagles of the same program, they are still popular with investors, and available in various sizes.
The obverse, as introduced in 1997, features the head of the Statue of Liberty, on Liberty Island in New York City, viewed from the front. Above the head is the word LIBERTY, while in the field to the right is the date, in a rather large font, and IN GOD WE TRUST is below the date in a smaller font. This obverse design was designed by John Mercanti. The original reverse design, as used on bullion coins as well as the 1997 proof coins, was designed by Thomas D. Rogers, Sr, who also designed several of the subsequent reverse designs. It features an eagle in flight, soaring above America, with a sun coming up in the distance. Above the scene is UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, while .9995 platinum is in the right field. The weight is listed below that, and the denomination is near the bottom.
Starting in 1998 the reverse design of the proof coins was changed annually, based on a rotating theme. From 1998 to 2002 the reverse designed featured an eagle in flight over various parts of the United States. The program was called “Vistas of Liberty”, and featured all geographic regions of the United States, being a New England Beach (1998), Florida Wetlands (1999), Midwestern Farm Field (2000), Arizona Desert (2001) and finally the Northwestern lakes, forests and mountains (2002). No specific design program was named from 2003 to 2005, although different representations of America were used. From 2006 to 2008 the program was called “Foundations of Democracy”, and featured the three branches of the United States Government. Starting in 2009 a new program was introduced, focusing on the preamble of the United States Constitution. Each year a different part of the text is highlighted in the design.
The American Platinum Eagle is unique within the American Eagles by having these yearly design changes. From 1997 to 2005 the American public could choose from the bullion coins or the proof coins. In 2006 collectible uncirculated coins struck at the West Point Mint were added to the series, carrying the same design as the proofs. In 2009, however, this changed and since then no bullion or uncirculated Platinum Eagles have been produced. Only the one ounce proof coins have been released by the Mint. The Mint has not yet announced plans to resume production of platinum bullion coins, and it is unknown when and if production will resume.