The American Platinum Eagle is the official platinum bullion coin of the United States. Since its release in 1998, it has featured a number of different eagle designs, and has been minted in four denominations, all of which are legal tender in the US. These four denominations are valued according to how much platinum each contains:
# Troy oz of platinum
0.1
0.25
0.5
1
Diameter
16.5mm
22.0mm
27.0mm
32.7mm
Thickness
0.95mm
1.32mm
1.75mm
2.39mm
Value as tender
$10
$25
$50
$100
Of course, because each of these coins contains platinum, its market value is far greater than its value as tender. As of the time of this writing, the spot price of platinum is $982/toz. This means that if you happen to have a 1-ounce platinum eagle, you should be able to sell it for approximately $982.
Although these coins all have the same dimensions and tender values, many versions have been created, including several special editions. In 2007, a 10th anniversary commemorative edition set was created. It contained 2 half-ounce platinum eagles, along with a certificate of authenticity, and a mahogany display box. These sets were made available to prospective buyers at $1,949.95 (about $475 more than the coins’ spot price of platinum at that time).
Some of the other special editions include:
Edition: Years:
The Vistas of Liberty 1998 – 2002
The Foundations of Democracy 2006 – 2008
The Preamble to the Constitution 2009 – 2014
The Torches of Liberty 2015 – 2016
The Preamble to the Declaration of Independence 2018 – 2020
Each of these editions features a number of different styles of artwork, although the eagle is the most common subject. There are also graphics depicting each phrase in the two “preamble” commemorative editions. For example, the eagle coin that carries the phrase “to establish justice” features the traditional lady justice, blindfolded and holding scales and a laurel branch.
In order to gauge the quality of any given coin or round, numismatists or merchants will occasionally hire a coin grading service to examine it and give it a score. Organizations such as the Professional Coin Grading Service or the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation employ a method of grading known as the Sheldon Scale. Developed by Dr. William Herbert Sheldon in 1948, this method requires evaluators to score each coin on the basis of five metrics: strike, preservation, luster, color, and attractiveness. In some cases, the evaluator will also consider the country of origin. The evaluation yields a score from 1 to 70. This score can have a significant impact on the coin’s secondary market value, as collectors typically gravitate toward coins with the fewest flaws.
At Crown Gold Exchange, we are interested in rare coins, but we are also interested in platinum. With our equipment and training, we can determine how much platinum is in any item you bring us, and therefore its intrinsic value. This is critical for making you an offer; the platinum serves as the base for assessing the item’s value. If your coin also offers a specific interest or appeal to numismatists, that will only make the value increase.
Because the American Eagle Platinum Coin comes from the US Mint, buyers have the faith of the US Government that each coin contains the required amount of pure (99.95%) platinum. But if you should happen to bring in an item that has a lower grade of platinum, we will likely make an offer on it anyway. We buy all precious metals, and we are always looking for platinum.
Unless you have considerable experience with the secondary coin market, it might take you a while to discover where you can get the best value for your American Eagle Platinum Coin. Most of our customers are not collectors; if they have a platinum coin, it is often by chance. Were that not the case, they would simply hold onto it.
If you have American Eagle Platinum Coins and are interested in learning how much they are worth, visit one of our convenient locations in the Southland. We are always ready to talk to you about your item, and in many cases, we can help you understand its market. If you’re open to selling it, we will often make you an offer. And because we are skilled at valuing precious metals, we offer the best rates around. If you agree, we consummate the transaction on the spot, and you walk out with some easy cash.
She explained everything to me and it made me feel very comfortable.
Sloane
Crown Gold Exchange Customer