American Platinum Eagle

Platinum Eagle

United States
Value	10–100 U.S. dollars (face value); see denominations
Edge	Reeded
Composition	99.95% Pt
Years of minting	1997–2008, 2014, 2016–present (bullion) 1997–present (proof) 2006–2008 (uncirculated)
Obverse
Bullion (1997–present), Proof (1997–2017)
Design	"Liberty Looking to the Future"[1]
Designer	John Mercanti
Design date	1997
Reverse
Bullion (1997–present), Proof (2017)
Design	"Soaring Eagle over America"
Designer	Thomas D. Rogers
Design date	1997
Proof (2018–present)
Design	Flying eagle with olive branch
Designer	Patricia Lucas-Morris[2]
Design date	2018

The American Platinum Eagle is the official platinum bullion coin of the United States. In 1995, Director of the United States Mint Philip N. Diehl, American Numismatic Association President David L. Ganz, and Platinum Guild International Executive Director Jacques Luben began the legislative process of creating the Platinum Eagle. After over two years of work, the 99.95% fine platinum coins were released by the United States Mint in 1⁄10, 1⁄4, 1⁄2 and 1 troy oz denominations. In late 2008, the fractional denominations were discontinued, leaving only the one ounce denomination.^[3] The Platinum Eagle is authorized by the United States Congress,^[4] and is backed by the United States Mint for weight, content, and purity.

Proof versions of the coins are intended for coin collectors and sold directly to the public whereas the bullion versions are sold only to the Mint's authorized buyers.^[5] The proof American Platinum Eagles are unique in the fact that they are the only U.S. bullion coins that have a yearly alternating design. Bullion versions are minted with the same design every year. While minted, the uncirculated Platinum Eagles matched the proof designs and were struck on burnished coin blanks with a "W" mint mark signifying West Point, further distinguishing them from the bullion versions.^[6]