Commemorating two decades since the annual series debuted, the United States Mint’s 20th anniversary 2017-W $100 Proof American Platinum Eagle goes on sale today, July 6, at noon ET.
In 1997, the U.S. Mint introduced .9995 fine Platinum Eagles in investor bullion and collector proof editions. Both types shared common designs until 1998 when the proof started its run of annually changing reverses. This year’s anniversary edition departs from tradition by once again featuring the original 1997 designs.
If recent history is any indication, demand will be strong for the 1-ounce platinum coin. Its mintage is 10,000 with an initial household order limit of one. Last year’s piece had the same limits and sold out within an hour of launching. The coin from 2015 had a much lower mintage of 4,000 and attained sell-out status in seven minutes.
2017 Platinum Eagle Designs
The obverse (heads side) offers John Mercanti’s "Portrait of Liberty" design that showcases a modern interpretation of the Statue of Liberty. It has appeared on obverses since the series introduction. Inscriptions surrounding the portrait are "LIBERTY," "2017," "IN GOD WE TRUST," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," and JM for the artist’s initials.
On the reverse (tails side) is Thomas D. Rogers’ depiction of an eagle soaring above America, last used in 1997. Inscriptions include $100," "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," ".9995 PLATINUM 1 OZ.," a "W" mintmark that denotes its production at the West Point Mint, and TDR for the artist’s initials.
Coin Specifications
| Denomination | $100 |
| Finish | Proof |
| Composition | 99.95% Platinum |
| Diameter | 1.287 inches (32.70 mm) |
| Weight | 1.0005 troy oz. (31.120 grams) |
| Thickness | 0.094 inch (2.39 mm) |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Maximum Mintage | 10,000 |
| Mint and Mint Mark | West Point – W |
| Obverse Design | John Mercanti |
| Reverse Design | Thomas D. Rogers |
Price and Ordering
Initial pricing is $1,300.00, which is $50 less than last year’s coin and based on platinum’s current average within $900 to $949.99 an ounce. If it does not sell-out, the price can change weekly based on the U.S. Mint’s pricing matrix and the platinum market.
When released, order the proof 2017 20th Anniversary Platinum Eagle from the U.S. Mint via its American Eagle product page or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).
Each coin is encapsulated and packaged in a custom–designed lacquered presentation case. A 20th anniversary Certificate of Authenticity is also included.
God for bid for the 20th anniversary, The U S Mint would come out with a special collectors platinum coin. But of course, NOT.
It”s a big pass for me. Same old same old.
it would have been great if the mint would have made a 4 piece set for the 20th anniversary. this coin is beautiful.
Why would you pass? Even if you dont want it, this coin is an instant money maker
Didn’t even attempt to change anything from the original except the date .. what a lazy Mint we have! But they’re still getting paid (talking about the managers and up of course) in full so why should they bother .. do the barest minimum .. which means hauling out the first design and changing the date .. neat! The Mint must be proud of itself for this move …. would’ve have thought they’d go the ASE route and have edge lettering too for the anniversary .. but nooooo
I’m all for having the 20th Anniversary, but why didn’t they make something special? A 2 coin set, edge lettering, reverse proof, enhanced, something? Same, same. We look forward to these special sets!
Dan? It’s an instant MONEY LOSER.. These will lose money right out of the gate. You will NEVER make your money back.
If you go to Ebay, you will see countless 2016 Platinum Eagles selling for less than $1,350 (which is the price they sold at last year). For example, a graded PR70 has a “Buy it Now” price for $1,250 and it has not sold. It is sad, but I am just going to wait for these to sell out at the US Mint and then buy one on EBay for $1,200. In other words, until the price of Platinum increases by a few hundred dollars per troy ounce, those who purchased the 2016 Platinum Eagle will not make their money… Read more »
**Correction – I meant to say a graded PR69 has a “Buy It Now” price of $1,250. The price of a PR70 is usually $1,500 to $1,600.
haters gonna hate. there was a presale that sold for $1675 this morning. If these sell out at the 1 household limit, there’s a small enough mintage that people will clamor for them in the near term, driving up the price. In terms of long term, price will fall and will be more dependent on price of Platinum, i agree. I bought one for myself and one to try to sell and make a quick profit
the detail on the front is so perfect the coin is ugly. with that said. look at the top of the R in LIBERTY what happened there.
compared to 2015 & 16 the reverse is the worst one I have seen.
Dan???? Haters gonna hate?????
For my part by all 10,000 of them and good luck to you. Hope you make billions on them…. “A fool and his money will soon be parted.”
“buy”
I decided to get 1 this morning since I have 2012-2016 and a few random but key years. Since I don’t have the 1997 design I would have had to settle for bullion so I’m happy. As far as selling them to make Money on them I have never sold a single coin. Maybe in another 10-20 year’s I’ll reconsider : ). I collect because I like coins period.
I also bought one this morning have the 1997 version and they wont get much cheaper with platinum at $900/oz. I couldn’t get the online website to work though, so I had to call in to place my order. I will also buy the palladium eagle when that comes out, hopefully later this year?
I find it weird that Platinum is cheaper than gold. I wonder if that will continue.
WRT value. True that 2016 PR69’s are going as low as $1200 from the original sale price of $1350, but price for platinum (Pt) metal is down $200 from a year ago. The average price for a 2016 PR70 recently on eBay is over $1500, so still some profit there even with Pt down 200 bucks. Pt prices are sure to rebound on a year timescale, so I think buying a 2017 Pt Eagle (with Pt at $900/oz) is a good investment, and if it grades PR70, even more so. I even bought a 10oz bar of Pt, since I… Read more »
Pt lower than gold is typically a sign of a weak economy, since Pt is used mainly in catalytic converters and expensive jewelry, while gold prices are driven up by market worries and investors hedging some of their earning in precious metal. Note that palladium has some of the same industrial uses as Pt, and its price has risen to within about $100/oz of Pt. Thus, the palladium eagle wont be much cheaper than the Pt eagle.
NW Robert on July 6, 2017 at 2:49 pm
“I find it weird that Platinum is cheaper than gold. I wonder if that will continue.”
Robert, perhaps the more appropriate question is, and one I’ve been searching for an answer to, is why has Pallidium continue to perform solidly while Platinum has continued to weaken.., they’re not that far off from converging prices.
I suspect I know.., though have been seeking something more definite.
As well as what the current trend may hold for Platinum? It’s getting very interesting,
I welcome any thoughts…
Thanks Mark, just saw your reply,
I’m foolishly hopeful that the Bullion Pd will only carry with a premium of < $44.95
Automobile (gasoline-powered) is biggest platinum user . The electric car don’t or use less platinum. Also ,Asian like yellow gold more than white gold.
With the South African’s buying the only Pd metal producing company in the US (Stillwater Mining Co (SWC)), maybe there are worries that they will have a monopoly on the Pd price so industries are “stocking up” with Pd, inflating the price. Any word on when the Pd Eagle will go on sale?
Previous articles on the Pd made inferences to the fall period, I’m planning for an October thru November availability to the AP’s
Pd Eagle was a great idea when it was $600 oz. the mint is waiting & waiting….the coin will be more than the plat Eagle by the time it hits the streets. And DAN there are plenty left @ mint website. No spec on this issue, no sellout $4oo OVER SPOT has not legs & rehash of old design they scrapped…. I doubt there are anywhere 10,ooo people who’d pay this much for it!
The first year for the Palladium eagle will probably be the highest production year and with Pd metal prices near their 10+ year high, buying one at the current metal price is probably a poor investment (unless the metal price crashes over the next few months!). However, it will be a cool new coin, so it will still sell a lot the first year, just like the 1997 Pt Eagle and the 2006 Au Buffalo did. If they DON’T produce a uncirculated/business strike the first year, that would help keep the price of the 2017 version high.
Most precious of precious metals, will rise again. It was King for years, it will be King again someday. Buy the cheapest platinum you can find. & sit on it. Why buy gold right now, unless it’s some spacial edition or something to that nature, and the price has to right. Only my opinyan tho . No spell check can’t spell opinyan & what ever elese. Nobudy around but my best BUDs I wish they speak english. They try.
Hi, I’m a different DAN. call me “DAN2”. I just purchased this coin because I have a locked in guaranteed cash profit of $100 from my local coin dealer. Wish I could have picked up ten coins and pocketed the $1,000 of risk free cash but the US Mint limit is just one coin, ouch. Several dealers around the country are paying out big bucks for this coin. It’s a no brainer, guaranteed money maker!
I agree buying Pt now when the price is $900/oz in any form is a good investment. It’s 40 times rarer than gold, and costs about $700/oz to refine out of the ground, yet it is more than $300/oz cheaper than gold. A real opportunity.
Yup….Platinum is much rarer than gold, by far…..DAN2 great move, I called here & the few LCS dealers left have no interest in new mint products @ issue price, they offered me $100 back of the mint price to sell them 1…I asked wtf they said they would sell for only a small profit…”duhhh 0k” (Los Angeles area)
Maybe the US Mint is lining up something special for the 25th anniversary and thought it’s too close to this year’s 20th. Maybe I’m too much of an optimist.
Palladium is a must but I’m not paying artificial prices if flippers corner the market on those oranges.
T
US Mint should have at the least stamp a prvy on this coin. It’s a must have for those of you who have up to this year the complete platinum proof collection. It’s the best modern collection. Someday unless some thing unbeleaveable happens will be rank #1 modern collection in the world. Should be, only GOD knows when. One of the top 10 collections ever. I know i can’t spell hope you know what i’m saying enjoy.
Interesting… 2015 sold out in 15 minutes, 2016 sold out within an hour. 2017 looks like you can still purchase at the US Mint site. I have to admit, the 2015 & 2016 coin reverses really standout and have better design than the flying eagle. 20 years should have had a design with a bit more of a celebration?
NW Robert – you beat me to it. Spot on. It is a very interesting development that the 2017 is taking so long to sell out (although my prediction is that it will sell out by the end of today). I think this proves there are more than 4,000 (but less than 10,000) collectors of Platinum Eagles. That is why the 2015 sold out so fast. The reason the 2016 sold out so fast was because of speculators trying to replicate the 2015 immediate price jumps. Also, the 2017 design is boring and not very special, especially for the 20th… Read more »
There may be other contributors to the slow sell out too. I had a problem completing the on-line purchase and had to phone in to buy it, so that may have frustrated some buyers.
Joe Brown
Yeah the Platinum designs the last few years have been pretty nice IMO .. I have the complete Preamble series .. the only complete one I’ve assembled .. and am quite happy with it. The 2017 by comparison seems crudely designed IMO especially when compared to the recent ones … if I had enough $$ I too might have tried to collect a complete proof APE set but not to be … at least I have the rev proof 10th Anniversary $50 APE bought from a dealer years ago
The PT Proof remains available @USMINT…..sales# posted yet? Combo of the price, the mintage & HH limit keep #s down, also IMHO there is a % of former mint addicts that have had enough & “I am not going to take it ANYMORE!” & are saying saynora to the mint’s rip off pricing levels & poor management…..with precious metals in the doldrums why pay $400+ over SPOT? For a design you may have & if you have the old unc, they have proof features on highlights…also picked up W/L au @ Ampex still more than $100 less than mint price,… Read more »
This has to be a misprint? Get your 2018 W proof? http://www.apmex.com/product/152867/2018-w-1-oz-proof-platinum-american-eagle-w-box-coa
My head swims at all the goings on in coin collecting!!
NW Robert – not a misprint, it does say the US Mint has no design for the reverse yet. Looks like they want you to buy next years coin now,but theirs no price. But why buy an ungraded coin from them. Just a middle man. Buyer beware. They might be hard up for $$$.$$$.$$
NW Robert
That is weird .. I looked for something like it on their website for proof 2018 AGE or 2018 proof ASE, nothing
And for the 10th anniversary of the gold buffalo in 2016??? They did absolutely nothing, They didn’t even acknowledge the fact that it’s been around for 10 years. And for the 10th anniversary of the gold eagle (1995) they came out with the first W mint silver eagle, a real collectors coin of only 30,125. Of course back then we had a real director of the mint on board. At least they said something about the platinum eagle anniversary even if they just went back to the original reverse design. They should stop wasting their time on 225 anniversary medals,… Read more »
The company I was talking about in the blog above, has a great story. It started with his grandfathers collection after he passed away. It was worth about $100,000 instead of selling it all at 1 time he pretty much sold them 1 at a time and bought more coins with the money. Today the company is worth a billion dollars. If I pass before I cash I would love my wife and kids at least one of them to check out all the possabilltys so they get the best bang for there buck. GoodLuck to that company for all… Read more »
first-day sales were 5,230 coins, or 52.3 % of the total mintage
I saw the first day sales also, http://www.coinworld.com/voices/louis-golino/2017/07/a_lost_opportunityw.html
I wonder how popular it will be
Again, only the grading services will make money on this coin. PF-70s will command a premium price, while ungraded and PF-69s will fall to $100 over bullion. It will be interesting to see how many “come back PF-70”, because a high percentage is the only way the flippers will make money. The suckers that fall for the grading of current mint product are fueling the speculation and destroying coin collecting, while tons of recent mint product sit in the back rooms of coin dealers at near bullion prices.
My 7 year old nephew could design a more appealing reverse than this. The mint didn’t learn from the Buffalo Dollar that premium designs and subjects are the way to sell out and make money. After returns, this turkey will plateau between 5,000 and 6,000, never selling out as resales fall below mint issue price.
Platinum is down $11 this morning, below $900 at $895. This coin has a $405 premium in over spot now & I don’t see it selling out anytime soon unless the Mint lifts the 1 coin per household limit, but even then I doubt it will sell out. Old design & very high premium.
-NumisDudeTx
Yes, the price could drop $50 if Pt prices continue to flag and they don’t sell out. That may be what speculators are waiting for. On the other hand, if only 5 or 6 thousand sold, that would be great, as it would be one of the lowest production years and prices would increase, just like the 2015’s that are selling now at $2500. However, they probably have already minted all 10,000 coins.
Mark –
The Mint did strike all 10,000 of these platinum coins, thinking it would be an instant sellout as the last 2 years & as a 20th anniversary product. Boy, were they wrong! Fire up the smelter!
-NumisDudeTx
The Mint just now (in the past hour) updated their website & took off the 1 coin per household limit on this coin. They are desperate for sales of this old design thing!
-NumisDudeTx
Looking back at recent years, it is clear that the demand for these coins is only in the 5000 range:
2012 9,081
2013* 5,763
2014* 4,596
2015* 3,886
2016* 9,151
The sale of 9000+ Pt eagles last year really was a rebound speculation anomaly that should not be expected this year. I’m sure speculators have been bitten by the low prices on the 2016 coins and will not be scooping up very many of the remaining 4000+ coins. It’s a good assumption that these coins will be for sale at the Mint for the rest of this year and beyond…
So Seth, all 10,000 coins are ready and are first strike/early releases! The 3rd party grading is a bit of a joke at times.
Mark
And the 2015 APE proof mintage was just a crappy one time (so it is starting to look like) gimmick by the Mint to hype it up with an absurdly low mintage when compared to prior years’ sales … IMO 5 – 6 K would have been a better figure …
I thought I remember hearing that they had issues getting the 2015 polished planchets from their Pt suppliers which limited how many they could strike to 4k. Thus, either poor planning or a supply chain hiccup led to the production oscillation. On average, they are doing about right, if you ignore the date on the coins. Ha!