The United States Mint today releases the 2026-W Charters of Freedom Platinum Proof Coin — Declaration of Independence, launching a new three-year themed series.
Sales begin at noon ET with a limited mintage of 15,000 pieces and an initial household order limit of one. Each coin is struck at the U.S. Mint’s West Point facility from one ounce of .9995 fine platinum and carries a face value of $100 — the highest denomination for any U.S. legal tender coin.
Issued as part of the Mint’s American Platinum Eagle program, which began in 1997, the coin continues a product line that has undergone multiple design and theme changes. The 2026 issue marks the start of the themed "Charters of Freedom" series, which will run through 2028.
"Through a carefully crafted progression of environmental motifs, the new platinum proof coin series traces the transformational impact of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, together illustrating a living embodiment of our American democracy," the Mint explains. "Individually, these documents express the principles and ideals of American sovereignty, outline our system of government, and define the rights of states and citizens. Collectively, they mark the birth of the United States and our enduring commitment to American liberty."
Proof American Platinum Eagle Coin Designs
Obverse (heads-side) imagery on the new coin shows sun rays breaking through storm clouds, symbolizing both the birth of a new nation emerging from the turmoil of revolution and the Enlightenment ideals that shaped the Declaration of Independence. A quill — representing the Declaration itself — sweeps across the landscape, marking the nation’s founding and the transformative power of revolutionary ideas to inspire change. Thirteen stars line the border, representing the original colonies. Obverse inscriptions read "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," "2026," and "DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE."
The design, recommended following reviews in 2024, was created by U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) artist Christopher Polentz and engraved by Joseph Menna, the 14th Chief Engraver of the United States Mint.
Introduced in 2018 and used annually since, the proof American Platinum Eagle features a reverse depicting an eagle in flight with an olive branch in its talons. Reverse inscriptions read "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "$100," "1 OZ.," and ".9995 PLATINUM."
The reverse was designed by AIP artist Patricia Lucas-Morris and sculpted by former U.S. Mint lead sculptor, now AIP designer, Don Everhart.
Platinum Eagle’s Specifications
| Denomination: | $100 |
|---|---|
| Finish: | Proof |
| Composition: | 99.95% Platinum |
| Diameter: | 1.287 inches (32.70 mm) |
| Weight: | 1.0005 troy oz. (31.120 grams) |
| Edge: | Reeded |
| Mint and Mint Mark: | West Point – W |
History of the Programs
As noted, proof American Platinum Eagles first appeared in 1997. Since that inaugural issue, the program has featured multiple thematic and design changes, including:
- Portrait of Liberty (1997)
- Vistas of Liberty (1998–2002)
- Foundations of Democracy (2006–2008)
- Preamble to the Constitution (2009–2014)
- Torches of Liberty (2015–2016)
- Return to the Portrait of Liberty (2017), marking the program’s 20th anniversary
- Preamble to the Declaration of Independence (2018–2020)
- Five freedoms of the First Amendment — religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition (2021–2025)
After 2026, the newly launched Charters of Freedom program will continue in 2027 with a design honoring the U.S. Constitution, followed in 2028 by a coin recognizing the Bill of Rights.
Sales totals for recent issues are listed below:
- 2025 — 6,454
- 2024 — 9,547 (still available)
- 2023 — 9,298 (still available)
- 2022 — 9,941
- 2021 — 9,884
- 2020 — 9,837
- 2019 — 11,268
- 2018 — 19,180
- 2017 — 8,890
Ordering and Price
The 2026-W Charters of Freedom Platinum Proof Coin — Declaration of Independence is available to order through the Mint’s catalog of platinum coins.
The coin is initially priced at $2,895, though pricing may change weekly on Wednesdays under the Mint’s precious-metal pricing structure in response to market fluctuations. Current pricing reflects a weekly average platinum price range of $2,300.00 to $2,349.99. Platinum was trading near $2,060 an ounce early Friday, well below the Mint’s current pricing tier.
