2012-W Proof American Platinum Eagle Coin Released

On Thursday, August 9, 2012, the United States Mint added the 2012-W Proof American Platinum Eagle to its line-up collectible products. At a price of $1,692.00, the new coin is starting out $400 lower than last year’s initial price due to the reduced cost of platinum.

With a purity of 99.95% platinum, the one ounce American Platinum Eagle appeals to both collectors and investors, especially now that the U.S. Mint has not released a bullion version since 2008.

Up to 15,000 of the $100 denominated coins, the largest face value given to any U.S. coin, will get produced. The maximum mintage is the same as last year’s coin.

2012 Proof American Platinum Eagle Coin Designs

A new "To Provide for the Common Defense" theme is illustrated on the reverse of the 2012 strike, making it the fourth issue in the six-year "Preamble Series" that began in 2009. This year’s design was created by U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program Associate Designer Barbara Fox and sculpted by U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles L. Vickers.

In the center of the design is a minuteman from the Revolutionary War. He is facing forward but his head is turned to one side. In one hand is a rifle and the other a book held close against his chest. The minuteman represents the country’s early defense, and the book shows the importance of knowledge in defending the nation.

Behind him are the stars and stripes of the American Flag. Surrounding the image are the inscriptions, "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "1oz.," ".9995 PLATINUM," "$100," and a "W" mint mark to indicate the coin’s production at the U.S. Mint facility in West Point, New York. Between "1oz" and "UNITED" is an original "coin punch" from an American Eagle privy mark identified at the United States Mint at Philadelphia.

Past and Future American Platinum Eagle Coin Designs

Back in 2009, the U.S. Mint began a six-year series to annually rotate the reverse designs of the American Platinum Eagle to commemorate the six principles of the Preamble of the United States Constitution. Inspiration for the designs comes from narratives prepared by U.S. Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr.

The last year of the program will be 2014. The themes by year are as follows:

2009 – To Form a More Perfect Union
2010 – To Establish Justice
2011 – To Insure Domestic Tranquility
2012 – To Provide for the Common Defense
2013 – To Promote General Welfare
2014 – To Secure the Blessings of Liberty to Ourselves and our Posterity

Each year, the obverse portrays one image, a close up portrait of Lady Liberty looking forward toward the future. It was designed and engraved by U.S. Mint Chief Engraver John Mercanti. Inscriptions are "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST," "E PLURIBUS UNUM" and the year, "2012."

These Eagle edges are reeded.

The one ounce proof American Platinum Eagle is neatly packaged in a custom-designed portfolio presentation case that includes Roberts’ narrative.

Past Proof American Platinum Eagle Prices & Mintage Limits

Starting at $1,692.00 makes this year’s strike the cheapest thus far in the six-year Preamble Series. As mentioned earlier, last year’s initial price was $2,092.00 in May 2011, which made it the most expensive. The 2011-W Proof American Platinum Eagle
is still available, however, and is being offered at the same price of $1,692.00. Exactly how much longer the older coin will be offered is hard to say, especially since it is 240 orders away from a sell-out status, as of August 6.

Both the 2009- and 2010-dated Platinum Eagles sold out within nearly one week from their launch, but mintages were much smaller. To illustrate some of the differences between the coins within the Preamble Series, check out the chart below that offers release dates, maximum mintages, sales and initial prices.

*The U.S. Mint bases the prices of their coins containing precious metals, for platinum and for gold, on the average weekly price of the metal on the London Fix. Each Wednesday, the U.S. Mint recalculates the average and reevaluates whether its coins’ prices should change.

Order Information

The 2012-W Proof American Platinum Eagle may be purchased directly from the United States Mint via the coin’s dedicated online page or by phone at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).

A shipping and handling fee of $4.95 will be added to all domestic orders. To start, there is an ordering limit of five per household. Last year’s similar household limit lasted for about one month.