A three-year series expressing core American principles debuts today at noon ET with the U.S. Mint’s release of the 2018-W Proof American Platinum Eagle.
The new proof platinum coin series celebrates the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence with design themes centered on Life, Liberty and Happiness.
This series is a continuation of the U.S. Mint’s 1-ounce .9995 American Platinum Eagle coin program which was introduced in 1997. In a reversal from past coins, the three from 2018 to 2020 feature different obverses (heads) against one common reverse (tails). (See their original line art designs.)
2018 American Platinum Eagle ‘Life’ Designs
The theme of ‘Life’ appears on the obverse of this year’s coin. It shows Lady Liberty teaching a small child to sow seeds in a field. A sword she carries is meant to symbolize the power to defend life with furrowed earth representing the forethought and labor required to sustain life. Nature is represented by the mountains, tree and stream suggesting the need to be good stewards of the environment.
Inscriptions include "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," "2018," "LIFE" and the artists’ initials.
Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Designer Justin Kunz created the design and United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill engraved it for use on coinage.
Created by AIP designer Patricia Lucas-Morris and engraved by former United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart, the coin’s revere depicts an eagle in flight with an olive branch in its talons. This same design will also appear on reverses of the 2019- and-2020-dated platinum coins.
Inscriptions around the eagle include "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "1 OZ.," ".9995 PLATINUM," "$100," a "W" for the coin’s production facility at West Point, and the artists’ 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 | 20,000 |
| Mint and Mint Mark | West Point – W |
| Obverse Design | Justin Kunz / Phebe Hemphill |
| Reverse Design | Patricia Lucas-Morris / Don Everhart |
Price, Mintage and Ordering
The new proof Platinum Eagle will be available for $1,420.00, although that price is subject to change weekly based on the U.S. Mint’s precious metal coin pricing policy.
No more than 20,000 sold, representing a 10,000 mintage increase over last year’s coin. In addition, an initial household order limit of one is in place.
Order the collectible straight from the United States Mint via this online product page.
Sales Update (Jan. 26)
First-day sales of the new proof Platinum Eagle rang in at 4,420 coins, U.S. Mint spokesman Michael White told CoinNews in an email Friday, Jan. 26.
