2009 Proof Platinum Eagle Design Unveiled

Today, the United States Mint unveiled the reverse design for the upcoming 2009 Proof Platinum Eagle. The Mint had previously announced the upcoming availability of the coin, but the reverse design was not revealed until today.

The new reverse design is intended to represent the the principle "To Form a More Perfect Nation." This is symbolized by four faces with intertwined hair and clothing to represent the diversity of the Nation. The reverse will also include a new American Eagle "privy mark" from an original "coin punch" identified at the Philadelphia Mint. This mark will satisfy the legal requirement that an eagle appear on the reverse of the coin. The reverse was designed by Susan Gamble and engraved by Phebe Hemphill.

This reverse design had been recommended by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee. The Commission of Fine Arts had favored a design depicting a small tree with thirteen leaves. Other potential design candidates had included fasces (like on the reverse of the Mercury Dime), plants, trees, and interlocking hands.

This will begin a new six year program of reverse designs of the collectible Platinum Eagle. The new program will commemorate the core concepts of American democracy by featuring the six principles of the Preamble of the United States Constitution. Future designs will feature the following themes: To Establish Justice (2010), To Insure Domestic Tranquility (2011), To Provide for the Common Defense (2012), To Promote the General Welfare (2013), and To Secure the Blessings of Liberty to Ourselves and our Posterity (2014).

The one ounce 2009 Proof Platinum Eagle will be the only platinum coin released by the United States Mint this year. All collectible uncirculated coins and fractional proof coins were previously announced as discontinued. All bullion coins were officially canceled in a sweeping announcement made last month.

The 2009 Proof Platinum Eagle will go on sale December 3, 2009 at 12:00 Noon ET. The projected price of the coin is $1,692.00 based on an average platinum price between $1,350 and $1,449.99. The United States Mint has indicated a maximum production of 8,000 coins and an ordering limit of five coins per household.