U.S. Heritage Coins

In 1997, the United States began minting the Platinum Eagle coins as a way of keeping up with foreign bullion coins. Its production was first authorized by Congress in 1996 with the first issue becoming available in 1997. These bullion coins are the first and only platinum coins of an investment grade to be in issue by the United States Government. They are part of a complete portfolio of precious metals that the United States Mint makes available to collectors and investors, giving them the advantage of easily obtaining platinum as a precious metal. It is also the only platinum bullion coin whose weight, content and purity of .9995 and has been guaranteed by the United States Government. The front of the American Eagle Platinum coins displays the head of the Statue of Liberty and was a designed by John M. Mercanti. The reverse changes each year and is theme related to the other American Eagles and always incorporates a bald eagle into the design. Although their positions may vary from year to year, you will find mintmarks on the reverse side of each platinum eagle coin. The U.S. platinum bullion coins are in production at mints in Philadelphia and West Point. For collectors who are interested in obtaining American Eagle Platinum coins, anyone in the public can order them directly from the U.S. Mint. You can order individual coins or the complete set in all four denominations. Each coin in every denomination is in contains 99.95% pure platinum. The uncirculated variety is not available through the Mint though and must be order from selected distributors of the coins. These representatives make the uncirculated coins available via a secondary market and their availability is contingent upon the bullion value of the platinum content of the coins at the time. The platinum eagle coins are available in 1/10 oz , ¼ oz , ½ oz , and 1 oz sizes. The face values displayed on the coins are $10, $25, $50 and $100 respectively. The one-ounce platinum eagle with a face value of $100 has the highest face value of any coin ever minted in the U.S. Though their face value may be symbolic, it still shows proof of the coin’s authenticity as official U.S. tender. Since the American Eagle Platinum coins are the official platinum bullion coins of the United States, they are legal tender and can be in used to make purchases like any other monies in circulation. Although, with their true value tied directly to the natural value of the platinum metal from which they are minted, you would be losing out on the true market value of the coins… which is worth considerably more than the face value. Case in point… in cases where a minimal number of the coins were minted collectors have been willing to pay prices that substantially exceeded the value of the bullion just to obtain the coins for their collections.