Sales for the 2012-W American Platinum Eagle Proof Coin opened Thursday, August 9, at noon Eastern Time with a starting price of $1,692.00.
2012-W American Platinum Eagle Proof Coin
It may be the most expensive coin offered by the United States Mint, but it will be popular, if previous editions are an indication.
One thing making the new proof coin special, besides its price, is the unique design on its reverse. As the fourth Platinum Eagle in the six year long Preamble Series program, the 2012 coin sports a design emblematic of the theme, "To Provide for the Common Defence." To best capture the theme, U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program Associate Designer Barbara Fox and U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles L. Vickers created a standing minuteman from the Revolutionary War facing forward but looking to one side. In one hand is a rifle and in the other is a book, held close to his chest.
The minuteman portrayed in the artwork represents our young nation’s defense, and the book symbolizes the importance of knowing how to defend our country, according to the product’s web page. In the background are stars and stripes, increasing the patriotic appeal of the design.
The U.S. Mint has added an American Eagle privy mark from a Philadelphia original coin punch between the surrounding inscriptions. The inscriptions on the American Platinum Eagle reverse are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1 oz. .9995 PLATINUM and the face value of $100, which is the highest for a U.S. coin. There is also a mint mark, "W," indicating its production at West Point.
On the obverse is a design that was created and sculpted by a former U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver, John Mercanti. It features an up close view of Lady Liberty as she faces directly forward. Her image is said to symbolize vigilance and resolute faithfulness to duty. Inscriptions are LIBERTY, 2012, and IN GOD WE TRUST.
The American Platinum Eagle Preamble Series recognizes the six principles of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution, and they will be recognized separately each year between 2009 and 2014. The six principles are:
- To Form a More Perfect Union
- To Establish Justice
- To Insure Domestic Tranquility
- To Provide for the Common Defense
- To Promote General Welfare
- To Secure the Blessings of Liberty to Ourselves and our Posterity
A narrative of this year’s theme that was prepared by U.S. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. is displayed in the custom-designed portfolio presentation case that holds the platinum coin.
An order limit of five coins per household has been implemented for the first week of sales. The limit may be removed if the U.S. Mint feels it is appropriate. Last year’s strike had the same restriction, and it was upheld for nearly one month. Additionally, the collector Platinum Eagles have a mintage limit of 15,000.
A few 2011 American Platinum Eagle proof coins remain available and for the same price. As of August 6, collectors have purchased 14,760 of them. Both 2009 and 2010 coins sold out in almost a week from their launch dates, but their mintage limits were smaller at 8,000 and 10,000 respectively.
Order Details and Prices
2011-2012 American Platinum Eagle proof coins are offered online at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). There is a $4.95 shipping and handling fee for domestic orders.
American Platinum Eagle prices may go up or down, depending on the weekly average price of platinum on the London Fix. At launch time, the price of the precious metal was between $1,350 and $1,449.99 an ounce and has remained in that range for the last few weeks.
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