Today the United States Mint made their official announcement for the release of 2008 American Eagle Platinum Proof coins.

This year’s coins mark the last"Judicial Branch" design within the three-year platinum coin series entitled “The Foundations of American Democracy.” Starting in 2006, each year celebrated one of the three branches of government.

Along with pricing and design descriptions, which has already been discussed in last week’s CoinNews article entitled "2008 American Eagle Platinum Proof Coins and Pricing," the Mint also listed the mintage and product limits for the one-ounce, one-half ounce, one-quarter ounce, one-tenth ounce and four-coin platinum set.

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The United States Mint has set the release date and prices for the 2008 series of American Eagle Platinum Proof coins that are the final design in the three-year series entitled, “The Foundations of American Democracy.” This year’s collector proof coins are available on Monday, May 5, 2008 and feature a Judicial Branch design.

The limited mintage coins will be available in four sizes with the following weights: One-ounce, one-half ounce, one-quarter ounce, one-tenth ounce. There is also a four-coin set containing one coin in each denomination. The one ounce proof coin is priced at $2,299.95.

The Foundation of American Democracy designs

2006 began the new platinum three-year coin series entitled “The Foundation of American Democracy,” which celebrates the branches of government with a new reverse or tails design every year.

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As precious metal prices fall, United States Mint bullion coin premiums rise. The differences make the proposition of purchasing the latest US Mint American Eagle bullion coins nearly overwhelming.

The United States Mint appears to be happy to accept higher premiums in many of their bullion coin sales.

While the Mint was quick to suspend and then readjust bullion coin prices upward when precious metal prices increased, the same quick but reverse adjustment has not been seen with key Mint bullion coins as precious metals decline.

As one example highlights, the Mint announced the pricing of 2008 American Eagle Gold Uncirculated coins on March 19, 2008. The one ounce eagle coin was set at $1,119.95. The day of that announcement London gold closed at $958.50 an ounce.

Six weeks later London gold on Thursday is at $853 an ounce. The premium differences between the two dates for the one ounce 2008 American Eagle Gold Uncirculated coin are:

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The U.S. Mint has reopened sales of the American Eagle 10th Anniversary Platinum Coin Set. The set was on a near two month hiatus, having been suspended for sale due to the surging price of platinum.

Collectors will be less than thrilled with the new $2,649.95 price tag, which is $700 higher than when the coins first went on sale December 13, 2007. However, the set’s percentage premium above the price of platinum is very close to that of the time when the coins were first sold. Feelings of sticker shock really highlight the increase in precious metals prices since December 2007.

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The United States Mint has announced a release date of March 17 and a price of $25.95 for the new Uncirculated American Eagle Silver collector coin. Each coin contains one troy ounce of .999 silver and bears the distinctive "W" mint mark to indicate it was produced at the Mint’s West Point facility.

The U.S. Mint has produced American Eagle Silver coins since 1986. While uncirculated silver eagles have been available every year since, they were not offered with the "W" mint mark and "burnished" finish. The Mint first started producing these collector coins two years ago.

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The United States Mint first began minting the American Eagle Silver coin back in 1986. It is perhaps one of the most attractive modern U.S. coins you can own. Surprisingly, you can actually put together a set, minus one or two key coins, at a fairly reasonable price.

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Platinum took a mad dash upward earlier today, breaking another new record of $1,803.80 an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX). Investors watching the power shortage problems in South Africa, who produce four-fifths of the world’s platinum, bet on a constricting supply.

“Mine output disruptions continue to fuel the rally” in platinum, Jon Nadler, senior analyst for Kitco Bullion Dealers Montreal said in a research note. “With 80 percent or so of global supplies coming from the very mines affected by electricity woes, this is not a surprise.”

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Next Thursday, Jan. 3, the 2008 American Eagle Silver Proof Coin will go on sale by the United States Mint. While the 2007 proof version is currently sold for $29.95, its days are numbered and the Mint has announced its newer replacement will sale for $2 more, at $31.95.

Last week’s mintage numbers indicated approximately 810,000 of the current 2007 American Eagle Silver Proof Coin have been sold.

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Platinum hit a record high as strong industrial demand and supply fears drove investors to buy.

Spot platinum made it to $1,519 an ounce, breaking the $1,500 barrier for the first time on Monday.

It then pulled back slightly for the night, yet was still sitting at $1507 an ounce at 2:20 p.m. (ET on Tuesday).

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The recent rumblings from the release of the 2008 quarter designs and yesterday’s announcement of the commemorative 10th Anniversary American Eagle Platinum set nearly hid a smaller notice from the U.S. Mint regarding other new products.

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