2014 American Platinum Eagle Bullion Coins on Sale March 10

American Platinum Eagle Bullion Coins have returned to the United States Mint product lineup. After a five-year hiatus, the bureau announced today that it will begin selling the one-ounce, 99.95% pure platinum coins on Monday, March 10, 2014.

"We listened to our customers and are pleased to once again offer platinum bullion," said U.S. Mint Deputy Director Richard A. Peterson. "Thanks to the hard work of our team, the West Point facility has begun striking platinum bullion coins for the first time since 2008."

Like other bullion coins from the United States Mint, 2014 Platinum Eagles will be sold through the Mint’s network of Authorized Purchasers (APs). These players consist of major coin and precious metals dealers, brokerage companies and other participating financial intermediaries. AP’s buy the coins in bulk, paying the Mint a 4% premium over the prevailing price of platinum, and then resell them in smaller quantities for a modest mark-up.

With a denomination of $100, the American Platinum Eagle has the highest face value of any U.S. coin. It is the only platinum coin whose weight, content and purity are guaranteed by the United States Government. Introduced to the public in 1997 as an annual offering, obverses or heads sides of the coin feature John Mercanti’s "Portrait of Liberty" and reverses showcase Thomas D. Rogers Sr.’s "Soaring Bald Eagle."

American Platinum Eagle Bullion Coins were discontinued in 2009 while a collector counterpart, the American Platinum Eagle Proof Coin, continued. From 1997 to 2008, the platinum coins were actually available in proof and bullion sizes of:

• 1 oz at a face value of $100
• 1/2 oz at a face value of $50
• 1/4 oz at a face value of $25
• 1/10 oz at a face value of $10

These same sizes were offered briefly in uncirculated quality with the introduction of the collector American Platinum Eagle Uncirculated Coin in 2006. Sales of the uncirculated Platinum Eagles were halted alongside the bullion versions in 2009.

Only proof American Platinum Eagles in the one-ounce size have been seen annually since 2009. These have sported a different reverse design every year in a series that:

"Explores the core concepts of American democracy by highlighting the Preamble of the United States Constitution."

This year’s proof coin completes the series with the theme "To Secure the Blessings of Liberty to Ourselves and our Posterity." (See 2014 design candidates.) The 2014-W Proof American Platinum Eagle has a preliminary scheduled launch month of July.