Friday, December 25, 2009

About American Platinum Eagle Collector Coins

By Gerald Hampton

The official United States platinum bullion coin is the American Platinum Eagles. First released in 1997 by the United States Mint, the coin consists of. 9995 platinum and can be purchased in 1/10, 1/4, 1/2 or 1 troy ounces. The United States Congress has fully authorized this beautiful coin, and the U. S. Mint backs it for content and weight.

Coin collectors can buy uncirculated coins called proof coins. The proof coins have graphics that change each year.

From 1907 to 1933 the graphic created by Augustus Saint-Gaudens was selected for use on the $20 gold piece. 1986 saw the resurrection of the graphic for the coins. Available in bullion and proof, these coins can be purchased by anyone. Also shown on some coins is Walking Liberty design by Adolph A. Weinman. Created originally in 1916, the graphic was used on the half dollar.

From 1998 to 2002 the proof styles of the American Platinum Eagle used designs from the Vistas of Liberty program. As always, the bald eagle appeared on each but with each year, the eagle was shown to be in a different area of the United States. Then came the three year series that ran from 2006 to 2008. The designs were known as the The Foundations of Democracy and represented the branches of government. Each denomination has the yearly design on it. These are the only U. S. Bullion coins that change reverse designs each year.

Other proof types of coins are available through the United States Mint. A special process is required for these coins that starts with blank coins being inserted into presses that have certain pigments in them. After being hit a couple of times to make the frosted attribute seem to glide over a mirror type field. The coins are then inspected, sealed in plastic and placed in frames with their respective Certificate of Authenticity. The U. S. Mint guarantees that each and every coin will be exactly the same.

For 2006, the Mint added another coin to the collection which is uncirculated coins.

As with its proof counterpart the coin can be purchased in a one-ounce size. The other American Eagle Uncirculated Coins are available in different sizes.

These coins are put through the exact same process as proof coins are but, they are stamped with a W. The W shows that the coin was minted at the West Point location.

The downside to these coins is that the do not increase in value because of their metal content. The obvious benefit is that they can be placed into investment accounts to earn money. Rare coins cannot be put in these accounts because they do increase in value as collectibles. - 23309

About the Author:

No comments:

Post a Comment