American Platinum Eagles

American Platinum Eagle 1 oz Coin

For decades, the American Platinum Eagle has been one of the world’s most popular platinum bullion coins. Minted with .9995 pure platinum, these coins show off everything there is to love about the U.S. Mint’s craft. On the obverse, you’ll find the Statue of Liberty, as well as your coin’s year and the motto of the United States, E Pluribus Unum. Flip the coin over, and you’re treated to the classic image of another American icon, the bald eagle. It flies majestically away from a rising sun. On this side of the coin, the U.S. Mint also includes the coin’s purity, material, weight, and face value ($100). 

Shop American Platinum Eagles – Hero Bullion

American Eagles have been one of the world’s premier precious metal investment vehicles for decades. Whether you choose gold, silver, or platinum, these coins carry a reputation and a history that is difficult to match. Investor demand is consistently high for American Eagles, and the recent release of the American Gold Eagle Type 2 has led to a renewed interest in America’s national bullion coin. 

The platinum version of the American Eagle doesn’t quite have the storied history of the other bullion coins in the series. It was only first released by the U.S. Mint in 1997, but that hasn’t stopped it from becoming a favorite for collectors around the world. The piece features unique obverse and reverse times, making it visually distinct from the American Silver Eagle and Gold Eagle. 

Hero Bullion offers a wide range of different American Platinum Eagles. Available in multiple different denominations, the Platinum Eagle offers unprecedented design detail and high platinum purity. On this page, we’ll cover everything bullion stackers should know about American Platinum Eagles. 

What is an American Platinum Eagle? 

American Platinum Eagles are the newest precious metal products released in the American Eagle series. Although the U.S. Mint has been producing the exceedingly popular American Eagle Coins for nearly forty years, the American Platinum Eagle was only first released in 1997. This makes it the newest bullion coin in the series. 

History of American Eagles

The U.S. Mint has been producing American Eagles using silver and gold bullion since 1986. 2026 will mark the forty-year anniversary of this popular collection, which has been one of the world’s most coveted series since inception. 

It wasn’t until eleven years after the first bullion American Eagle Coins that the U.S. Mint announced the release of Platinum American Eagles. Its designs changed yearly from 1997 to 2005. A special edition of the coin was released in 2012 and featured a Revolutionary War minuteman. In 2017, Thomas D. Roger’s original design was revisited, and this reverse-side depiction has remained static since.

The coin is known for its relatively small mintage numbers, which helps make it an excellent investment vehicle for collectors with an eye for numismatic collectable value. Until 2008, the coin was minted in 1/10, ¼, ½, and full 1 oz denominations. Since 2014, only the 1 oz variant has been released by the U.S. Mint. 

Origin of the American Platinum Eagle

Initial work to develop what would become the American Platinum Eagle started in 1995. Cooperation between the American Numismatic Association, the U.S. Mint, and the Platinum Guild International was responsible for this coin making it to the desk of the U.S. Mint. Its purpose was to introduce platinum bullion coinage to the American public, and mint experts determined that the American Eagle might be the perfect design to accomplish this task. 

It took over two years for the U.S. Mint to complete its design process and officially announce the release of the American Platinum Eagle. In this first year of circulation, the American Platinum Eagle was minted in various denominations and came backed by the United States government. While the backing of our sovereign government has remained present in all yearly releases of the Platinum Eagle, these varying denominations were axed in 2017 – the mint has since switched to only creating full 1 oz American Platinum Eagles. 

American Platinum Eagle Details and Designs 

Like all coins in the American Eagle series, the American Platinum Eagle is designed to invoke distinctly American symbolism and iconography. This coin is actually quite different from the American Silver Eagles and American Gold Eagles that preceded it. 

The obverse of this coin includes mint artist John Mercanti’s rendering of Lady Liberty. According to him, the design is supposed to show “Liberty looking to the future.” Her stony gaze stares straight forward, and the classic symbol of American freedom and pride wears her classic crown. The word “LIBERTY” appears a

bove her, flowing in and out of the spikes of her crown. 

As you likely already know, the reverse of our American Platinum Eagles is where the coins get their name. Unlike the Type 2 American Gold Eagle, this coin still depicts an American bald eagle in flight. It flies away from a rising sun with its wings spread wide. Set against the pure platinum background, we think that the eagle’s features are rendered in exceptional detail. 

Each American Platinum Eagle is minted using .9995 pure platinum bullion, which is the highest purity currently possible for a platinum coin. This purity is also listed on the reverse-side of the coin above the left wing of the bald eagle. 

Investment 

How can you invest in American Platinum Eagles? After all, there’s a reason that this coin quickly became one of the world’s most popular platinum products. The high purity of platinum content gives each coin intrinsic value, allowing collectors to speculate on both the numismatic and the melt value of their platinum coin investments. 

Pros of Investing in American Platinum Eagles

There are several advantages to investing in American Platinum Eagles. For platinum stackers, there are few coins with as much potential value appreciation as the American Platinum Eagle. We’ve got you covered – below, you’ll find a breakdown of two factors to consider when investing in American Platinum Eagles. 

Intrinsic Platinum Value

The intrinsic value of each Platinum Eagle is a significant factor in determining its overall worth. Minted using .9995 pure platinum bullion, these coins are valued at least partially for their pure platinum content. Platinum itself holds intrinsic value. Unlike some precious metals only valued for scarcity, platinum has several industrial uses. This means that the spot price of platinum can shift from year to year based on industrial demand – not just supply.

Before you invest in American Platinum Eagles, take a closer look at platinum price trends. After you’ve secured your investment, tracking these price trends over time can help you know when it might be time to sell. 

Historical Significance 

The cultural and historical significance of the American Eagle design is an important aspect of its value to collectors. When you purchase collectable coins, you aren’t just investing in the melt value of each piece. You’re also betting on the potential numismatic appreciation associated with rare bullion items. For American Platinum Eagles, this distinction is especially important. 

The coin’s history of value appreciation, as well as the scarcity of smaller denominations which have gone out of production in recent years, makes American Platinum Eagles high-value collectable items for platinum stackers. 

Downsides of American Platinum Eagles

Like every investment vehicle, American Platinum Eagles are imperfect. What are downsides to investing in American Platinum Eagles? We’ll highlight two main disadvantages below: high premium costs and platinum market fluctuations. 

High Premium Costs

Most coins come with high premiums. The exceptional cost of production offered by government mints like the U.S. Mint means higher prices for consumers. When it comes to expensive coins like the 1 oz American Platinum Eagle, these premiums can quickly stack up and make it prohibitively expensive for low-budget consumers to buy bullion.

You can cut down on premium costs by buying American Platinum Eagles in bulk. Many bullion distributors offer discounts for larger purchases. But for investors with minimal capital to spend, it might be difficult to purchase multiple of these coins at one time. 

Platinum Market Fluctuations

All precious metals markets experience regular fluctuations, but platinum is exceptionally volatile. Especially when compared to more traditional investment categories, platinum’s market shifts can be abrupt and significant. Consumers who want to invest in American Platinum Eagles should develop a clear understanding of how the platinum market works. 

Remember: the value of your American Platinum Eagle collection is primarily determined by the current spot price of platinum. While numismatic and collectable value can help to protect your investment against the wild fluctuations of the platinum market, a decrease in the spot price of platinum means that your coins will decline in total cost.

Smart investors can actually use this downside to their advantage. By timing the market properly, you can figure out when it might be time to sell – or when you should consider ‘buying the dip.’ 

American Platinum Eagle Denominations 

American Platinum Eagles were initially minted in 1/10, ¼, ½, and full 1 oz variations. This didn’t change until 2017, when the U.S. Mint began distributing only 1 oz denominations of the coin. 

Official Government Backing 

Because American Platinum Eagles are backed by the sovereign United States government, they carry monetary value as well. The 1 oz American Platinum Eagles currently being produced by the mint have face values of $100 USD. The backing of the U.S. government also lends an additional layer of security to the coin. Simply put, it’s harder for criminals to create counterfeits for sovereign coins than for privately minted gold, silver, or platinum rounds. 

How to Buy American Platinum Eagles

You have several options when it comes time to purchase your own American Platinum Eagles. Hero Bullion sells the newest Platinum Eagles, but we also offer several coins from different years. If you’re interested in varying denominations, consider putting your money on denominational versions of the American Platinum Eagle. 

Researching Reputable Dealers

Your research into reputable dealers is the foundation of your investment process. Finding the right dealer can help you save money when it’s time to buy your American Platinum Eagle. Disreputable dealers may try to hide or obscure the total cost of their coins. Hero Bullion is happy to transparently list all of our prices on the Hero Bullion website – this means you’ll never be hit with surprise premiums or fees at checkout. 

Online Vs. Local Bullion Sellers

Choosing between online and local bullion dealers is your first big decision. Online dealers tend to offer a more versatile collection of available platinum coins than local sellers. Some buyers prefer to work with local dealers, such as pawn shops, because of the personal touch they offer during the purchasing process. 

If you choose to buy locally, be sure to come prepared with all the research you’ll need to make an informed purchasing decision. American Platinum Eagles are extremely popular and documented platinum products, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding accurate price estimates on the internet. If you don’t do your research before buying, you might be left paying more for your coin than it’s worth. 

Determining Platinum Melt Value

The spot price of platinum shifts from day to day. Like all precious metals, platinum bullion is a volatile market. By multiplying the weight of your platinum coin by the current spot price of platinum, you can determine the melt value of your American Platinum Eagles. Unfortunately, finding platinum bullion for spot price alone is almost impossible to do. You’re always going to pay some sort of premium over spot when purchasing American Platinum Eagles. 

Platinum Spot Price Vs. Premiums 

Premiums are additional fees added to the top of a precious metal product. Premiums vary based on the type of product, investor demand, and the volatility of the precious metals market the product belongs to. If you’re looking to cut down on premiums as much as possible, consider investing in platinum bars or platinum rounds. These products provide a high percentage of pure platinum with markedly lower premium fees. 

Because American Platinum Eagles are minted by a sovereign government, they often come with higher premiums over spot than other precious metal products. If you’re working on a low budget, you’ll want to try your best to find the best deals possible on your American Platinum Eagles. 

Final Thoughts: Buy American Platinum Eagles

Hero Bullion is excited to bring consumers American Platinum Eagles from various different years. We offer competitive prices, secure shipping processes, and a number of resources to help you stack platinum bullion with confidence. 

Do you still have questions about buying American Platinum Eagles from Hero Bullion? Feel free to reach out to our dedicated customer service team with any concerns or comments you might have.