1999 American Platinum Eagle Coins
The 1999 American Platinum Eagle Coins saw a significant decline in interest for both the bullion and proof versions of the strike.
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| Mintage: 56,707 One Ounce Bullion, 12,363 One Ounce Proof eBay Listings Authorizing Coin Law U.S. Mint Online Site |
Platinum markets fluctuated quite a bit during the year with the low of $325.50 in August being offset by a high of $457 in November. Once done, the year average came in at $377.93, only $5.78 higher than it had done the previous year.
While the bullion strike continued to show the same reverse design as it had done the previous two years, the proof coin showcased yet another new image. This time it was the second of six annual reverses showing the "Vistas of Liberty."
1999 Platinum Eagle Mintage
Bullion Platinum Eagle Mintage
In its third year, the Platinum Bullion Eagle mintage saw drastic declines from the levels seen in the previous release. Hit hardest were the One Ounce Eagles which saw a 57% drop. Somewhat counteracting that decline were the 1/10 Ounce Eagles which jumped by 41% in sales.
The chart below shows the total mintage of 1999-dated Bullion Platinum Eagles:
One Ounce Bullion Platinum Eagle 56,707 1/2 Ounce Bullion Platinum Eagle 32,309 1/4 Ounce Bullion Platinum Eagle 39,734 1/2 Ounce Bullion Platinum Eagle 55,955
Proof Platinum Eagle Mintage
After having basically sold-out in four of the five Platinum Proof product options the previous year, the 1999 total mintage levels showed a decline.
The chart below shows the total mintage of 1999-dated Proof Platinum Eagles which includes the number sold as part of the Platinum Eagle 4-Coin Set (of which 8,578 were sold).
One Ounce Proof Platinum Eagle 12,363 1/2 Ounce Proof Platinum Eagle 11,103 1/4 Ounce Proof Platinum Eagle 13,504 1/10 Ounce Proof Platinum Eagle 19,133
Issue Information
The 1999 Platinum Eagles marked the third year in which the US Mint produced the series.
Release Date
The US Mint released the Proof Platinum Eagles on July 23, 1998, a month later then they had been released the previous year. The Mint sold the bullion Platinum Eagles through its network of authorized purchasers for most of the year.
Issue Price
Leaving the price unchanged since their inaugural year, the Ounce Platinum Proof Eagle sold for $695, the 1/2 Ounce Platinum Proof Eagle for $395, the 1/4 Ounce Platinum Proof Eagle for $199 and the 1/10 Ounce Platinum Proof Eagle for $99. The Four Coin Set sold for $1,350 and the Liberty 3-Coin Set sold for $1,499. The Mint sold the Bullion Platinum Eagles through its network of authorized purchasers for a small premium above the current spot price of platinum.
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Special Proof Reverse Design
Featuring the second of five "Vistas of Liberty" designs, the Platinum Proof Eagle showed a reverse with a bald eagle flying above a southeastern swamp with an alligator floating in it. It was designed by Al Maletsky.
U.S. Mint Production Facility
A ‘W’ mintmark on the proof coins indicate they were struck at the US Mint’s facility in West Point.
Designer & Sculptor
The obverse (heads side) of the Platinum Eagles shows John Mercanti’s "Portrait of Liberty". Thomas D. Rogers Sr.’s "Soaring Bald Eagle"is found on the reverse (tails side) of the bullion Eagles. The reverse of the Proof coins has Al Maletsky’s eagle soaring above a swamp.
Coin Specifications
(For One Ounce Platinum Eagles)
| Face Value: | $100 |
| Finish: | Bullion, Proof |
| Composition: | 99.95% Platinum |
| Standard Weight: | 31.120 g |
| Standard Diameter: | 32.70 mm |
| Edge: | Reeded |