The United States Mint has now officially released the 2017 American Eagle 20th Anniversary Platinum Proof coin.
USA 2017 20th Anniversary Platinum Eagle Proof Coin Obverse
The 2017 platinum eagle coin is denoted as an anniversary coin, not as a result of the US Mint's ongoing 225th anniversary celebrations, but due to the fact that it marks the 20th anniversary of the proof platinum eagle coin. This coin was first introduced on June 6, 1997, when it made history to become the first legal tender status platinum coin produced by the US Mint.
In order to celebrate two decades of this platinum coin, the US Mint is revisiting the original coin design from that first 1997 issue again for the 2017 coin. The reverse design depicts a soaring eagle, flying across America with the sunrise at it's back. The inscriptions on the reverse of the coin include : “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”, “.9995 PLATINUM 1oz.” and “$100”. The “W” mint mark for the West Point Mint is also included to the right.
USA 2017 20th Anniversary Platinum Eagle Proof Coin Reverse
The obverse of the coin in turn features the established “Portrait of Liberty” design, with Liberty gazing towards the future while surrounded by the inscriptions “LIBERTY”, “2017”, “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM”.
Each of the proof platinum coins will be shipped in a custom–designed and lacquered blue presentation case accompanied by a special 20th anniversary Certificate of Authenticity. The case is similar in appearance to that of both the 225th Anniversary American Liberty gold coin and it's medallic silver counterpart.
USA 2017 20th Anniversary Platinum Eagle Proof Coin with CoA
The coin is struck from just over a troy ounce of pure .9995 Fineness platinum, tipping the scales at 31.120 grams(1.0005oz). The proof coin measures 32.7mm(1.287 inch) in diameter, and has a maximum mintage of 10 000 coins.
The American Eagle 20th Anniversary Platinum proof coin is subject to the US Mint's pricing policy on precious metals coins, and as such the price may be subject to change based on prevailing market conditions. However, the mint is releasing the coin at an initial price of $1300 per coin. There is also a household order limit of only one coin per order that the US Mint has imposed on this coin, in order to ensure most collectors a fair chance of obtaining one of these coins directly from the mint.
USA 2017 20th Anniversary Platinum Eagle Proof Coin
The proof platinum eagle's price at $1300 positions it as the mint's most affordable 1oz precious metal proof coin, with the obvious exception of any silver coins such as the ubiquitous American Silver Eagle coins. With the 1oz proof gold eagle coin selling for $260 more at $1560. It is also $290 cheaper than the American Buffalo 1oz gold coin, which is listed for $1590. In addition to being a full $340 less than the American Liberty 225th Anniversary gold coin, at $1640 each.
