Platinum Bullion from JM Bullion

Platinum is one of the world’s most desirable precious metals, but it is often overlooked by investors interested in gold and silver because of the greater value of gold and increased variety of both metals. Platinum is a metal that has had an up-and-down production history in recent years around the globe. The metal was in high demand until the late 1990s as prices sank, mints and refineries exited the market. However, rising platinum prices in the early 21st century brought more producers back into the marketplace, with new coins and bars appearing for investors to snatch up.

The rising demand for platinum has more to do with its wider use. While gold and silver remain exclusively used in industries such as jewelry and small technology products, platinum is used catalytic convertors for automobile engines, dental equipment, lab equipment, electrical contacts and even electrodes. JM Bullion is proud to carry a variety of platinum coins and bars available for purchase online today.

Platinum Coins

American Platinum Eagle

American Platinum Eagle coins debuted in 1997, with authorization from the United States Congress and the backing of the United States Mint for its weight and content. All American Platinum Eagle coins feature .9995 pure platinum content and 1 oz coins have a face value of $100 (USD), which at the time of introduction was the highest face value on any American coin.

In addition to the bullion version of the American Platinum Eagle, the US Mint strikes and releases on an annual basis the Proof American Platinum Eagle. This coin is without question the most unique coin available from the United States Mint, which makes it an excellent addition to your personal collection.

The Proof American Platinum Eagle is the only major bullion coin from the United States Mint to feature a new reverse design each year. In the introductory 1997 issue, the bullion and Proof American Platinum American Eagle coins featured the same design on both the obverse and the reverse.

However, starting in 1998 the US Mint released a series of different design programs for the reverse face of the Proof American Platinum Eagle coins. The first images ever used on the American Platinum Eagle included the following:

• Portraits of Liberty – Obverse: Then-Chief Engraver of the United States Mint John Mercanti designed the obverse imagery used on the American Platinum Eagle bullion and proof coins. His depiction of Liberty as she gazes into the future is inspired directly by the Statue of Liberty’s appearance and has featured on the obverse face every year since 1997.
• Eagle Soaring Above America – Reverse: Created by Thomas D. Rogers, a sculptor and engraver with the United States Mint, this depiction shows the American bald eagle as it flies over the sun and its outstretched rays. This image was used only in 1997 for the reverse of the Proof American Platinum Eagle, but it continues in use today as the reverse of the bullion version of the coin. Rogers would create two subsequent designs in the proof series.

The American Platinum Eagle coins have been available since 1997 in both bullion and proof, with the Proof Platinum Eagle coins offering something unique and special for collectors. With lower mintage figures, the Proof Platinum Eagle boasts not just new designs on the reverse each year, but new design concepts. Below is a rundown of the many special design issues available from the United States Mint in the Platinum Eagle collection.

From 1998 to 2002, the United States Mint unveiled five different reverse Proof American Platinum Eagle coin designs. Known as Vistas of Liberty, the theme featured the American bald eagle flying over various different scenes from across the United States. Thomas D. Rogers created the first of these images in 1998, with the full list including the following:

• 1998: Eagle is featured flying over the scenery of New England and a rocky coast line, with a beach town’s lighthouse and the full moon featured in the design from Rogers.
• 1999: The eagle is featured flying above the wetlands of the American Southeast, with an alligator crawling through the swamp below. This was created by Al Maletsky.
• 2000: Maletsky’s second consecutive design features the eagle flying over a field in the American Midwest, with a barn and farmhouse included.
• 2001: The third and final design from Rogers, who retired in 2001, features the bald eagle as it flies above the saguaro cactus species found throughout the southwest, in particular Arizona.
• 2002: The final Vistas of Liberty design was created by Maletsky, and depicts a bald eagle as it swoops down into a lake surrounded by snowcapped mountains in the northwestern US.

Following the conclusion of the Vistas of Liberty design series, the Proof American Platinum Eagle coins would continue to feature new reverse designs in 2003, 2004, and 2005 without featuring a particular design theme. Maletsky created a fourth and final design for the Proof American Platinum Eagle in 2003 with the image of an American bald eagle perched atop a rocky mountain’s cliff, with the American flag serving as the backdrop.

Donna Weaver created both the 2004 and 2005 design in this period, with the first featuring an engraving of the sculpture known as “America” from outside of the US Customs House in New York City, which was designed by Daniel Chester French. Her 2005 design depicted the American bald eagle atop the heraldic shield of the nation, and was similar to the heraldic eagle design of other coin programs.

From 2006 to 2008, the Mint rolled out a series of three new designs known as the Foundations of Democracy series that highlighted the role of the three branches of the American government: judicial, legislative, and executive. The features of these designs included the following:

• 2006: Designed by Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Don Everhart, this is the Legislative Muse design that is flanked by two eagles resting on columns that represent the bicameral legislature of the US Congress.
• 2007: Designed by Tom Cleveland and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill, this simple design features the overpowering image of the American bald eagle as a representative of the executive branch of the United States government.
• 2008: Designed again by Iskowitz and sculpted by Charles Vickers, this image of Lady Justice is watched over by an American bald eagle in its representation of the judicial branch of the government.

Starting in 2009, the United States Mint unveiled its longest running program to date for the Proof American Platinum Eagle coin. Running from 2009 to 2014, this six-coin explored the core concepts of American democracy by highlighting the Preamble of the United States Constitution. Design features include the following:

• 2009: With the picture of four faces that represent the diversity of the United States, this design from Susan Gamble and sculptor Phebe Hemphill represented the concept “To Form a More Perfect Union.”
• 2010: Representative of the theme “To Establish Justice,” this features the image of Lady Justice holding the scales of justice in one hand and the laurel branch in her other hand.
• 2011: Featured a design that represents the theme “To Insure Domestic Tranquility,” and depicts a worker in an American field holding out a hand to a dove as it lands.
• 2012: Designed by Barbara Fox and sculpted by Charles L. Vickers, this features the image of an American militiaman from the American Revolution, and follows the theme “To Provide for the Common Defence.”
• 2013: Imagery represents the theme “To Promote the General Welfare.”
• 2014: The final release features Liberty holding her torch aloft as the sun rises in the distant background. This design reflects the theme “To Secure the Blessings of Liberty to Ourselves and our Posterity.”

The shortest coin design series for the Proof American Platinum Eagle is the recently released Torches of Liberty design. Available on the 2015 and 2016 coins, these images come from members of the United States Mint Artistic Infusion program. Paul C. Balan designed the images used on the reverse of both releases, and United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna contributed to the finished product. Features of the Torches of Liberty theme include:

• 2015: Known as Liberty Nurtures Freedom, this design features Lady Liberty with her traditional torch in her right hand as she holds out her left hand to the American bald eagle as it raises its wings. The eagle is perched atop the globe of planet Earth, with the sun rising into the sky in the background.
• 2016: Known as the Torch of Enlightenment, this final design features Liberty as she holds out her torch to light the world. An American bald eagle flies through the image and a large olive branch encircles the right-side of the design.

With the conclusion of the Torches of Liberty design series, the United States Mint turned back the clock to introduce something special for the 2017 Proof American Platinum Eagle release. For the first time in the history of the Proof Platinum Eagle, the same obverse and reverse design were used again as the US Mint marked the 20^th anniversary of the Platinum Eagles.

John Mercanti’s vision of the Statue of Liberty returned to the obverse side of the 2017 Proof American Platinum Eagle. Likewise, Thomas D. Rogers’ image of an American bald eagle flying over the continent returned to the reverse side of the coins. This was a one-time reissue of these brilliant designs on the proof coinage to mark 20 years of the coin program.

Following that 20^th anniversary release, the United States Mint introduced a new design program for the Proof American Platinum Eagles starting in 2018. The Preamble to the Declaration of Independence design concept covers 2018-2020 releases in the Proof Platinum Eagle Series and depicts Liberty in scenes reflecting “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” The series has a shared reverse design of the American bald eagle that features the iconic national symbol with its wings spread wide and an olive branch in its talons. Obverse designs include:

• 2017 Proof Platinum Eagle: The design of “Life” features Liberty on the obverse side holding a young child as she sows fresh seeds and harvests the crops of a healthy yield.
• 2018 Proof Platinum Eagle: On the obverse design of the “Liberty” release in this three-coin design series, you’ll find the image of Liberty standing guard over the heartland of America. Her torch held high overhead, an ox-driven cart makes its way along the banks of a river with a towering mountain range in the background.
• 2020 Proof Platinum Eagle: The three-coin design series concludes with an image reflecting the concept of every American’s right to the “Pursuit of Happiness.”

When the American Platinum Eagle coin was first introduced in 1997, both the bullion and proof versions of the coin were available in 1 oz, ½ oz, ¼ oz, and 1/10 oz weights just like the American Gold Eagle coin. While the bullion coin continues to feature fractional-weight coins, the United States Mint last struck the Proof American Platinum Eagle’s fractional-weight coins in 2008. They are no longer in production today, with only the 1 oz Proof American Platinum Eagle available.

The Proof American Platinum Eagle coin typically has an extremely low mintage. In recent years, the mintage for the coin has been held under 10,000 annually. However, rising precious metal prices and increased demand for gold, silver, and platinum have pushed demand for American Platinum Eagles higher. After striking just 4,000 coins in 2015, the 2016 Proof American Platinum Eagle had a mintage of 10,000 coins.

Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf

Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf coins were introduced in 1988 alongside the Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coin. Originally these coins were available in a 1 oz weight and multiple fractional weights. However, that original production run lasted from 1988 to 2001 before an 8-year hiatus. When the coin series returned in platinum in 2009, only the 1 oz coin was made available.

The obverse of all Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf coins includes the right-profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty’s effigy features on the obverse of all Canadian currency, and this particular design comes from Susanna Blunt and was created in 2003. It began to appear on Canadian coins starting in 2004.

On the reverse of the 2017 1 oz Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf Coin is the image of the sugar maple leaf, the same iconic design on the reverse of all gold, silver, and palladium versions of the coin. It includes engravings of the nation of issue, purity, and metal content, as well as the new micro-laser engraved radial lines and maple leaf privy added to Canadian coins to deter counterfeiting.

Austrian Platinum Philharmonic

After successfully carving out a niche as the most popular bullion coin program in Europe, the Austrian Mint’s Austrian Philharmonic bullion coins took a step forward in growth in 2016 with the release of an Austrian Platinum Philharmonic Coin.

The Austrian Mint released the first Austrian Philharmonic coin in 1989 with the gold version, which stood alone in various weights for nearly two decades until the 2008 release of the silver version of the coin. Today, based upon sales figures, the Austrian Silver Philharmonic is widely regarded as the most popular coin in continental Europe.

In 2016, the Austrian Mint expanded the program to include the Austrian Platinum Philharmonic Coin. With the release of this coin, the Austrian Mint marked the introduction of a platinum bullion coin for the first time in its 800-year history.

On the reverse of the Austrian Platinum Philharmonic Coin is the image of a cornucopia of musical instruments used by members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Included are images of the cello, four violins, harp, Vienna horn, and a bassoon.

The obverse of all 2017 1 oz Austrian Platinum Philharmonic Coins features the Great Pipe Organ found inside of the Golden Concert Hall in Vienna. Located in the Innere Stadt neighborhood of the capital city, the hall is also known as the Musikverein. Austrian Mint Chief Engraver Thomas Pesendorfer designed both sides of these coins for the gold release in 1989.

Australian Platinum Platypus

Australia was the first major, industrialized nation in the world to announce the annual production of 1 oz platinum coins for sale to investors. The striking of platinum coins was approved on June 18, 1987.

Introduced in 2011, the Australian Platinum Platypus coin series celebrates a unique species native only to eastern Australia. Like the beaver in North America, the platypus was once intensely hunted for the fur of its hide, but in the 20^th century the species is protected throughout its range against hunting and poaching. The platypus also happens to be one of the few venomous mammals in the world, with males possessing a spur on their hind foot that delivers a painful (though not deadly) venom.

The Platinum Platypus coin is an annual release from Perth with the following features common to each coin:

• Arrives in a protective plastic capsule, sealed roll of 20, or box of 100.
• Contains 1 Troy oz of .9995 pure platinum in BU condition.
• Bears a face value of $100 (AUD) backed by the federal government of Australia.
• Obverse includes the image of Queen Elizabeth II.
• Reverse features the Platypus as it swims in the water.

On the reverse of the Australian Platinum Platypus is the image of the venomous mammal as it swims in the water. Engravings on this face of the coin are limited to name of the coin issue, as well as its year of issue, weight, purity, and metal content. The obverse of the 2017 1 oz Australian Platinum Platypus Coin includes the right-profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. The current image in use on Australian coinage is the fourth-generation depiction created in 1998 by Ian Rank-Broadley.

The Perth Mint originally struck the Platinum Platypus coins with a state maximum of 30,000 coins in 2011 and 2012, but that has been shifted to an unlimited mintage ceiling, which for Perth means the coins are struck to meet demand until the end of a given calendar year. Sales of the Platinum Platypus through last year’s release break down as follows:

• 2011 – 30,000 coins (sold out)
• 2012 – 26,580 coins
• 2013 – 2,000 coins
• 2014 – 1,616 coins
• 2015 – 12,420 coins
• 2016 – 6,218 coins
• 2017 – 2,994 coins

Australian Platinum Kangaroo

Beyond using images of the reigning monarch of Great Britain on the obverse of its coins, the most common Australian coin design is that of the kangaroo. One of the first great uses of the world’s largest marsupial, an Australian native, on the reverse of Australian coins came in the 1950s when the nation issued copper pennies with the image of a kangaroo hopping across the design field from right to left.

That design has served as an inspiration for countless bullion coin designs, including appearing numerous times on the Australian Gold Kangaroo series since its 1990 switch from the Gold Nugget design concept to that of the kangaroo. Most recently, the Perth Mint introduced the Australian Silver Kangaroo as the first-ever .9999 pure silver bullion coin from the nation.

Building on the success of that series and the overall popularity of the design, the Perth Mint introduced the first-ever Australian Platinum Kangaroo in 2018. The platinum bullion coins are available with 1 Troy oz of .9995 pure platinum content and a face value of $100 (AUD) backed by the federal government of Australia.

The new Australian Platinum Kangaroo coins are available to purchase inside of individual protective plastic capsules, sealed mint rolls of 20 coins, or boxes of 100 coins housed inside of five tubes. Australian Platinum Kangaroo coins feature the same brilliant design of previous Gold Kangaroo issues and the current Australian Silver Kangaroo.

On the reverse side is the image of a kangaroo leaping across the coin’s surface from right to left. Its long legs are tucked underneath its frame as it jumps and its long, powerful tail is stretched out behind it for balance. There are radial sunburst lines emanating from the center of the design and engravings of the series name, date mark, coin weight, purity, metal content, and the Perth Mint’s “P” mint mark all accompany the design.

The obverse of Australian Platinum Kangaroo Coins is unique in several rights through the first two issues. The 2018 coin’s obverse features the fourth-generation British design of Queen Elizabeth II’s effigy created in 1998 by Ian Rank-Broadley. This is both the debut obverse design in the series and the only time you’ll find Broadley’s fourth-generation portrait of Her Majesty.

On the reverse of 2019 (and later) Australian Platinum Kangaroo coins is the newest design of Her Majesty to grace Australian coinage. Technically the sixth design of the Queen to feature on Australian coins, this fifth-generation design from the Royal Mint of England and Jody Clark captures the Queen at the age of 89. She wears the ceremonial Royal Diadem crown with her neckline and shoulders depicted in the design. This marks the first time since the 1960s the Queen’s portrait has included her neckline and shoulders.

Somalian Platinum Elephant

One of the world’s fastest-growing coin programs, the Somalian Elephant Series from the Bavarian State Mint added a platinum option to the lineup in 2016. Somalian Elephant coins debuted in 1999 as an original issue for Zambia, but the Bavarian State Mint shifted production of the coins to a Somalian issue starting in 2004. From then until 2016, the coins were available only in silver and gold.

For 2016, the Bavarian State Mint has introduced yet another version of this increasingly popular coin. The all-new Somalian Platinum Elephant brings new variety to the program with a .9995 pure platinum coin, highlighting the value of platinum in bullion and proof coin programs.

On the obverse side is the most recent Elephant design, which depicts the world’s largest land mammal standing along the edge of a river in Africa, with the sun rising into the sky in the background. Engravings include the name of the series, as well as the coin’s metal content, weight, and purity.

The reverse of the coin features the Somali national crest, which features a pair of wild cats holding the national shield. The shield’s design bears a single star against a background of horizontal lines.

British Platinum Queen’s Beast

The coin series launched in 2016 with the Lion of England design on gold and silver coins, and is expanding in 2017 to feature new Lion of England images on a 1 oz platinum coin. The Queen’s Beast Series debuted with the Lion of England design in 2016 on two gold coins and one silver coin, which was the first 2 oz bullion silver coin ever from the Royal Mint. Now, a new option is available in this collection with the release of a British Platinum Queen’s Beast Lion Coin.

On the obverse of each Queen’s Beast Lion coin you’ll find the newest right-profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty appears on this coin in a fifth-generation depiction and was created in 2015 by Jody Clark, the youngest engraver at the Royal Mint ever to create the effigy of the Queen.

The reverse of all 2017 1 oz British Platinum Queen’s Beast Lion Coins features the design of the Lion of England. As the first design release in the Queen’s Beast collection, the Lion of England is featured with the heraldic shield of the kingdom and the massive lion standing on hind legs ready to defend the kingdom.

Isle of Man Platinum Noble

The Isle of Man has been inhabited since roughly 6500 BC, but the first established kingdom came in the 9th century when Viking Norsemen formed the Kingdom of the Isles on the island in the 9th century, and Norway’s King Magnus III ruled as the figure head of the island throughout his reign. In 1266, the Treaty of Perth established the Isle of Man as part of Scotland.

Over the course of 500 years from 1266 to the late 18th century, control over the Isle of Man switched between Scotland and England. Today, the Isle of Man is a crown dependency of Great Britain and Queen Elizabeth II serves as head of state as the Lord of Mann.

The history of the Isle of Man is evident on the 1 oz Isle of Man Platinum Noble Coin. On the reverse of these legal tender platinum coins you’ll find the image of a Viking longboat saling across the North Atlantic with its sails at full stretch. The face value of “”One Noble”” is engraved on this fact of the coin.

On the obverse of the coin is the image of Queen Elizabeth II in right-profile relief. Her Majesty’s image appears with engravings that include the nation of issue, year of issue, and her name. These 1 oz Isle of Man Platinum Noble Coins were produced by the Popjoy Mint from 1983 to 1989. Popjoy Mint, located in Surry, England, struck these coins for the Isle of Man as legal tender platinum coins.

Platinum Bars

In addition to a wide array of platinum coins, you’ll also find a strong selection of platinum bars available to purchase from JM Bullion. Platinum bullion bars are made of pure platinum, typically with a fineness of .9995 or higher. This means that they contain at least 99.95% pure platinum, making them highly valuable and sought after by investors.

Platinum bullion bars come in various sizes to accommodate different investment budgets. Common sizes range from 1 ounce to 10 ounces, with some larger bars available as well. The size of the bar determines its weight and overall platinum content. Platinum bars are typically produced by reputable refineries and mints that adhere to strict quality standards. They often carry an assay mark, which is a certification of the bar’s weight, purity, and authenticity. This mark assures buyers of the platinum content and quality of the bar.

Platinum bullion bars offer investors an opportunity to diversify their investment portfolios. As a precious metal, platinum is considered a store of value and can serve as a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainties. Adding platinum bullion bars to a portfolio can help spread the risk and provide potential long-term growth.

Purchase Your Platinum Coins and Bars from JM Bullion

If you have any questions about our payment methods, shipping services, or our variety of platinum, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at JM Bullion. Our associates are available on the phone at 800-276-6508. We’re also available online using our website’s hosted live chat service or by submitting your questions to us via email.