This article presents photos of a United States Mint’s 2018-W $100 Proof American Platinum Eagle.
Released on Jan. 25, the 1-ounce .9995 fine platinum coin is the first release in a three-year Preamble to the Declaration of Independence Series that celebrates the unalienable rights of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
The new series is a continuation of the U.S. Mint’s American Platinum Eagle program that launched in 1997 with proofs featuring annually changing designs. Until this year, the coins had varying obverses and a common reverse. Switching it around, coins in 2018, 2019 and 2020 have unique obverse designs and the same eagle-in-flight reverse design.
Created by Justin Kunz and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill, this year’s obverse features "Life" personified by Lady Liberty teaching a small child to sow seeds in a field. In the background are mountains, a river running through fields and a large tree — all symbolizing life. The word "Life" is written in script in the field by Liberty’s shoulder.
Proof coins are minted for coin collectors and as the above photo shows they feature sharp design detail, frosted foregrounds, and mirror-like backgrounds.
Kunz also designed the obverses in the upcoming 2019 "Liberty" and the 2020 "Happiness" coins.
Here are four more photos of the 2018 coin’s obverse, including three close-up photos:
Proof Platinum Eagles reverses for the next three years show an eagle in flight with an olive branch in its talons. Patricia Morris created the design and Don Everhart sculpted it.
The West Point Mint strikes all American Platinum Eagles. Proof editions carry the facility’s ‘W’ mintmark on their reverse.
Finally, here are four more photos of a 2018 Proof Platinum Eagle’s reverse:
Ordering
Order the proof platinum coin from the United States Mint via this online product page. No more than 20,000 will be sold. It sales through Feb. 5 totaled 8,316 coins.
Its price can change weekly depending on the trending value of platinum. It launched at $1,420 but as of this writing is at $1,370.
