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.
Labels: Coin Designs, Platinum Eagles
posted by Mint News Blog @ 9:15 AM
141 Comments:
In a recent history of silly coins by the US mint, this one tops them all. How rediculous the whole diversity equals strength propaganda has become. 8000 is a low bar and it won't even come to half that.
What were the mintages for the prior years one ounce proof?
Platinum Eagle Mintages
I was going to buy one of the platinum eagles, but NOT now.I simply don't care for the back of the coin.
Personally, I think diversity equals strength is more than just propaganda - it's just a good philosophy. Certainly it can be taken to extremes (as indeed, affirmative action might very well do), but, in any event, I can't help but wonder if this coins design was motivated by Barack Obama's becoming the president. He gave a speech during his campaign called "A More Perfect Union" and now we're seeing a coin bearing that same phrase? And although I don't believe that speech will go down in history as being as important as Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech, it's had enough of an impact to have a rather lengthy wikipedia article, complete with citations.
If it is such a good philosophy, than why doesn't it work? Really, it's the essence of Marxism distilled. Diversity equals conflict and strife, it is a liability, not strength.
Thanks for the link to the mintages Michael.
As the saying goes, two heads are better than one. But if the two heads think exactly alike, all you have is an echo chamber and you might as well only have one head for all the good having two is going to do you.
Besides, I think diversity is inherently anti-Marxist. Marxism seeks to give everyone the same opportunities and, ultimately, make everyone the same.
"The one ounce 2009 Proof Platinum Eagle will be the only platinum coin released by the United States Mint this year"... 8000 w/5 per household... 2 days max.
Why couldn't they have made silver eagle proofs and put a product limit of 8,000?
It looks like last year sold half of that number, although they sold out and other platinum products were offered as well.
Ouch
So the 2009 Platinum Proof coin will have a mintage of 8,000 tops, while the heavily touted 2007 10th Anniversary Set coins had mintages in excess of 16,000 each. The Mint should NEVER have set the limit so high at 30,000 of those. The limit should have been 3,000. Think how valuable those would be today if they had done that! I'm glad I sold mine EARLY, just at the time when Platinum shot to the moon. I'd hate to be sitting on that dog today!
The 2009 coin will probably sell out, if for no other reason than it is the ONLY platinum coin being offered this year. I can see speculators taking a chance on one of these (but certainly not FIVE, that is, unless they are filthy rich and don't give a rip if they sit on them or not.)
I don't plan on buying one, though.
I am very disappointed with the coin. The mint's biggest failing has been a pronounced shift to literal depictions of events (such as the Lincoln penny, etc..)- which tend to seem cluttered and uninspiring when translated to coin. The best coins, to my tastes, tend to take an emblematic or symbolic approach - e.g., eagle or, in this instance, the much preferable branched tree that had been proposed. I wonder if the decision by committee approach is to blame.
Can it still be called an Eagle coin? Just a privy "Eagle" mark?
The preachyness of the libs has now been incorporated into our coinage. Makes me sick. I have to admit that this "diversity" coin is a sign of our times as it discriminates against white males. I was going to buy this year's platinum coin, but I wouldn't buy this coin if they made only made 10 and it could appreciate to $1M.
No...it is not a good philosophy. In the real world, it is generally counterproductive. How does having people of different skin color, gender, etc. improve a product? The best and most able person should be chosen.
There are too many cases of people being promoted (aka as obama) for the sake of diversity; not because they have any relevant ideas or are capable in the least.
Using your logic, we should have more women in the NFL. It's soooo unfair! But to your point, the concept does give me goosebumps all inside me. Anyone for a group hug?
I agree with the literal depiction beef. What happened to the symbolism of designs on US currency: the great seal, the eye of providence, the eagle and olive branch, liberty holding a torch...? What's next the group hug coin or even better the 5000th anniversary of the kitty cat, how cute.
I guess I will pass on these boring and cliche-ish platinum tokens and purchase some fractional gold eagle coins instead. They are more affordable and don't push a PC agenda.
You have got to be kidding. No further comment necessary. That's the 6th item regurgitated by the Mint in 2009 that I haven't and won't buy. The future isn't looking too good for therm either. The park series is next. What are these people thinking? One day, someone will wake up but it will be too late. Honest to God, it's hard to fathom who is pulling these strings.......
A group of people can be both diverse and ethnically homogeneous. Seriously, you people need to grow up if you can't see that.
Take the football example. You don't want a homogeneous team full of quarter backers because simply don't have the requisite build to be very good at tackling. You want people of *different* body builds because they're going to be doing *different* things.
But I guess you people are too busy decrying the injustices of diversity to realize that *some* diversity is actually quite desirable. What's next? I suppose the fact that the US Mint even dares to offer a DIVERSE array of products is a sin unto God? Curse the Mint for daring to offer anything other than mint sets! Curse them!!!!
I agree with many of the comments posted here on the "liberal" agenda. I do consider myself conservative both socially and economically. However I do think diversity and tolerance are important building blocks of a stable and successful society. About myself - yes I am a non-white but caucasian minority. After completing a PhD in Physics after serious hard work, I joined the workforce and "made" it all the way to one of the best technology schools in the country. I have spent time working on the space program and also in Silicon Valley. Without fail at every job I held I was subjected to "in the face" abuse and harassment, which I have now concluded is rooted in racism. I also concluded that this behavior is highly tolerated and people who practice it believe they can get away with it. Based on my experiences, yes I do support the theme of this coin, and will purchase multiples of it allowed by my budget.
U.S. Mint - FAIL!
I think the issue of diversity is a good, though not very popular,one.
Sadly, most who post here appear to be white males. Check out photos in the major coin publications. I do not recall seeing many minorities or females.
Holding on to that thought, it may explain why designs featuring "real" women (e.g., First Spouses, Susan B. Anthony, Sacagawea, etc.) are not so popular.
Popular coins appear to have male-centric themes (e.g., Westerns, Lincoln/Civil War, World Wars/military, etc.). Makes sense since most collectors appear to be male.
We need more coins honouring women and minorities. That's a beautiful sight to see....
I was kind of hoping the mint would make a Turkey coin...
Ben Franklin on the head and a turkey on the tails
(no pun intended).
Didn't old Ben say that the turkey really should have been the National emblem bird for our country
Happy Thanksgiving fellow collectors.
Tom Turkey
America's diversity is now and has constantly been our strongest asset throughout history. Anyone in denail of that fact is ignorant to the extreme. This coin is representative of that fact. What's the problem?
Oh thank you, gracious Mint for producing the diversity platinum. Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you. Praise be, oh mighty Mint for all you do for collectors. Hallelujah, oh, glory hallelujah. Translation: BFD.
The preachyness of the libs has now been incorporated into our coinage. Makes me sick. I have to admit that this "diversity" coin is a sign of our times as it discriminates against white males. I was going to buy this year's platinum coin, but I wouldn't buy this coin if they made only made 10 and it could appreciate to $1M.
YES YOU WOULD!!!!
To anyone who is complaining about diversity on this beautiful coin.
You don't have to buy it if you don't like it.
This response is directed at the 2:06 post. Perhaps many of the posters are white males. I am. And yes, like others, I’ve noticed that white males are not represented on the coin. Are we now to take to a back seat to everyone else? Were any of the signers of the Declaration of Independence not white males?... You know… those guys who created this country?...
Anyways… US coinage is not supposed to be politically motivated or controversial. This one most definitely is. Washington D.C. submitted several designs for their quarter that were rejected because they were deemed to be making a political statement.
As for the notion that white males don’t take a liking to women being on coins, I beg to differ. Many of us are begging to see more of Lady Liberty on our coins. As for real women being on coins… what is the claim to fame for most of the first spouses, other than being the wife of a President? Those coins are just a gimmick to sell more coins. I actually like Sacagawea being on a coin. She DID make a contribution to our nation. I just wish they had used her image on a coin that wasn’t best suited as a carnival token.
Dave,
White male have had more than enough opportunities to be represented on coins. Check out the current penny, nickel, dime, quarter, and half dollar. Plus the Presidential golden dollars.
Enough said.
Maria, You are correct. We DON’T have to buy this coin. But we DO if we want a 2009 U.S. platinum coin in our collection. That factors in.
Miranda, Your point does have merit. But every one of the people represented on the coins you mentioned made a contribution to our nation. “Liberty” is a symbol of our nation – thus we’ve been proud to have Lady Liberty adorn our coins. Must we now replace Liberty with Diversity?
This whole discussion here just goes to prove that it’s controversial. It’s not an agenda that is appropriate for U.S. coinage. To me it seems to be another example of Americans being asked to apologize for being an American. That I don’t like.
I agree with the commenter above about great disservice to Sacajawea by putting her on a carnival coin. I am however, okay with them putting the presidents on carnival coins because their depictions are cartoonish looking anyway.
I couldn't care less what the theme is... that reverse is hideous. The CFA favored what sounds like the far better design (esp. for a reverse), but NO they choose the 4 heads with a creepy ring of hair. It can't get much easier than this to completely ignore a coin.
It's interesting how some people's racism influences what they buy or collect. It's very interesting and funny. For those who don't like the theme of the coin, just don't buy it.
All this talk about diversity and the faces of people who don't look like the folks who collect coins.
As has been said, if you don't like what you see, don't buy it.
I just wonder how many who are saying that they don't like the design actually own a platinum coin or have any intention of ever buying one???
I remember seeing this hideous design earlier this year, and it still doesn't look any better. This will surely kill off any demand for these coins in the future, even with low mintages.
Since so many folks dislike the design of this coin, that will mean demand will be low. Mintages will be low. So in the future that means prices will skyrocket, just like everyone is saying about the First Spouse coins.
WOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOO!!!
I'll buy 10 of these diversity coins!!!!
Miranda, Your point does have merit. But every one of the people represented on the coins you mentioned made a contribution to our nation. “Liberty” is a symbol of our nation – thus we’ve been proud to have Lady Liberty adorn our coins. Must we now replace Liberty with Diversity?<
I remember asking the same thing for the 2009 Louis Braille commemorative coins. "Must we replace Liberty with [Louis Braille]"?
wooo hoooo???? well, buy 10...but low demand is because no one wants it, doesn't matter how few they sell, this coin will not be a good investment except for it's bullion content
To the anonymous poster from November 20, 2009 5:19 PM --
That's what I've been saying all along about the First Spouse coins. Who cares about low mintages? If there is little or no demand, then secondary market prices will be primarily based on the value of the bullion, not on the scarcity/mintages. Save your money and buy coins that will have a much better chance of appreciating in value.
What those will be will be hard to predict. Many coins that have appreciated much in recent years have unexpectedly sold out. Take a look at the US Mint's birthplace Lincoln penny rolls, the Harrison dollar rolls, and of course, the 2008 gold buffalos....
The committees had some perfectly fine allergorical designs they could have chosen, but instead they chose this one and that other plain one.
They may as well have gone with a design based on the hit movie, "The Thing With Two Heads", with Ray Milland's head and Rosey Grier's head planted on one body. At least I would have bought that for the novelty.
This I'm staying away from.
Wow.. some of you people on here are supremely ignorant, arrogant and completely ridiculous. This coming from a middle aged, educated white male. Diversity makes the world go round unless your Adolph Hitler. Life is by far the most diverse thing on this planet and for a reason. Sounds like 60's racism all over again with some of you.
However, I am partial to walking liberty, eagles and sheilds.
The preachyness of the libs has now been incorporated into our coinage. Makes me sick. I have to admit that this "diversity" coin is a sign of our times as it discriminates against white males. I was going to buy this year's platinum coin, but I wouldn't buy this coin if they made only made 10 and it could appreciate to $1M.
YES YOU WOULD!!!!
__________________________________
HECK NO I WOULDN'T!!! Money isn't everything and I still have to look at myself in the morning and realize that I made profit off a racist coin.
I have no problems with diversity IF it is not just for the sake of diversity. This coin is a shining example (pardon the pun) of liberal racism. This screwy coin makes racists feel good about themselves like they did something special for someone beneath them (aka Sen. Robert 'KKK' Byrd of WV). I would work with a guy like the PhD in Physics above IF he is competent...I don't care if he's green or has XXY chromosomes. Unfortunately, affirmative action is a racist policy that forces placement based on skin color, gender, etc.; not based on giftedness, skills and talents.
For the sake of political correctness, all of you out there lambasting Mint Director's Moy's incompetence and poor decision making (e.g., no proof ASEs or AGEs) should cease and desist. The PC police may use your comments to accuse you of racism because of Director Moy's skin color.
The preachyness of the libs has now been incorporated into our coinage. Makes me sick. I have to admit that this "diversity" coin is a sign of our times as it discriminates against white males. I was going to buy this year's platinum coin, but I wouldn't buy this coin if they made only made 10 and it could appreciate to $1M.
YES YOU WOULD!!!!
__________________________________
HECK NO I WOULDN'T!!! Money isn't everything and I still have to look at myself in the morning and realize that I made profit off a racist coin.
I have no problems with diversity IF it is not just for the sake of diversity. This coin is a shining example (pardon the pun) of liberal racism. This screwy coin makes racists feel good about themselves like they did something special for someone beneath them (aka Sen. Robert 'KKK' Byrd of WV). I would work with a guy like the PhD in Physics above IF he is competent...I don't care if he's green or has XXY chromosomes. Unfortunately, affirmative action is a racist policy that forces placement based on skin color, gender, etc.; not based on giftedness, skills and talents.
For the sake of political correctness, all of you out there lambasting Mint Director's Moy's incompetence and poor decision making (e.g., no proof ASEs or AGEs) should cease and desist. The PC police may use your comments to accuse you of racism because of Director Moy's skin color.
This coin, while I'm not crazy about the design, will be a very interesting coin to watch. It has many things going for it which could help it appreciate in the future. A total minatage of 8000 is a good start. I think the fact that it is contraversial ( as evidenced by this blog) could help it. Also, people down the road may view it with great historical significance. I hope to get one but won't be too heart broken if I don't. I find it interesting that they chose to put this one on a white metal. Maybe it should be on a gray steel blank so not to offend anyone LOL, I couldn't resist!!
Yes, this coin will surely spell an end to the white race.
It is absolutely hideous, though.
8000 mintage for a platinum coin is not low. 2240 is low, but the question is if you buy it then who will you sell it to?
99.9999999% will not buy it for more than spot platinum, ever.
The coin should have depicted diversity by showing a donkey and an elephant walking side by side.
Oh - and if you want hideous, have you ever taken a look at the front of this coin? The Platinum Eagle has one of the worst depictions of lady liberty that I have ever seen. The American Gold Eagle and the American Silver Eagle, in contrast, have amazingly beautiful depictions, but the Platinum Eagle? The only saving grace it's ever had is the fact that it is platinum and the reverse. And this reverse, imho, is a fine reverse. The hair, flowing together, is a nice touch, as is the tiny eagle head right below the "A More Perfect Union" text.
It seems like the mint better start hiring people without "art degrees." Not sure exactly what qualities these qualified artist have, but they for certain don't have much talent.
Just about every modern circulating coin is uninspiring and boring. The only exception I'd say would be the Sac dollar (before 2009). Of course they just had to screw that up this year, by putting a clown font on it and edge stamping the coin so it's unreadable. The mint certainty knows how to suck!
As far as I'm concerned "Diversity is synonmonis with Divissiveness and seperation and is simply the complete total opposite of any kind of Unity.
Great...just freaking great,
HECK NO I WOULDN'T!!! Money isn't everything and I still have to look at myself in the morning and realize that I made profit off a racist coin
YES YOU WOULD!
Boys,
It's time that more ladylike design appear on coins. After all, how can the US Mint get more women involved in coin collecting? Women are 50% of the US population and certainly do more shopping and have buying power!!
Wouldn't it be peachy if ballerinas, Barbie dolls, and baby lace and flowers appeared on our coins? The US Mint should definitely consider these girl-friendly designs in the future.
Way to go US Mint for recognizing our First Spouses!
Are there any women who visit this website?
Considering all the comments from what appear to be white men, I can see why women and minorities would not want to visit this wonderful blog.
I personally like this coin. Lady Liberty/Statue of Liberty on the front. Diversity on the back.
Now here's a coin that has a matching theme on the front AND back, unlike many recent coins.
Lady Liberty greeted many of our first immigrants in New York. America is a land of immigrants. They have enriched our lives.
As others have said, if you don't like the coin, don't buy it. Most here probably never had the intention of buying a platinum coin, but simply want to vent. Feel free to do so. Diversity of thought is wonderful.
Linda,
I thought there were more women than men; like 53% to 47%. And anon @ 8:10 8000 coins total for the entire run is very low. I think this coin will be very popular with the non-coin collecting crowd. It will probably be talked about in history books more than in coin articles. This seemingly unpopular coin could be a smash in the future for what it represents. Look at Lincoln. He's now regarded by many as one of the best Presidents, but was hated by many when he was alive.
I find it funny how many posts are complaining that white males are not represented on this coin. One would think there has been a shortage of caucasians on our coins! (for the record, I am a white male).
I think this coin will top out around 4,000 coins sold.
In reference to
Anonymous said...
November 21, 2009 5:33 AM
I totally agree. The penny, nickel, dime, quarter, half, and all Presidential coins (past and current) all have white males.
Now that there are plans to have a single coin have women and minorities, posters here are fussing about how white men are being slighted.
Go figure....
Oh, thank you, great and gracious mighty Mint for using valuable resources to produce those diversity platinums and untold numbers of Zachary Taylor coins and rolls. More than the stars in the sky or fishes in the sea oh, great and gracious mighty mint thank you.
According to coinnews.net, "the reverse of this year’s coin will feature the first design of a six year series commemorating the core concepts of American Democracy by showcasing six principles of the Preamble of the United States Constitution."
What other principals will they commemorate, I wonder? Freedom of religion would be unchristian (because, obviously, we should all be members of the Anglican church!). Maybe there should be an M4 Carbine assault rifle on the back of one of the coins to commemorate freedom to bear arms? Wheee!
While the US Mint is at it, they should issue a recall order on all Susan B. Anthony dollars and melt them! Woe unto her for giving women the ability to vote! All Susan B. Anthony dollars should be reforged to Glenn Beck dollars. Now there's a true American hero!
Yes, I’m a white male. I’m also an educated person and I’m smart enough to realize that you can not effectively debate your side of an issue when you reduce yourself to name calling and belittling of those who don’t agree with you. Sadly that seems to be the norm for the “other side” on issues such as this. You’re the ones voicing hatred and hostility. You want equality, but because of your approach you’ll never achieve it.
Why is it that when a minority or a woman stands up for their group, that us white males are deemed to be racist or sexist AND when us white males stand up for our group, again we’re generally deemed to be racist or sexist? Now there’s something to go figure…
This coin is supposed to represent the diversity of the people populating our nation, yet it gives no recognition to the group that has by far contributed the most to the development and advancement of our nation – white males. You can’t represent every group on a coin like this and that is another reason the theme should not have been approached. No one here would be arguing over a coin featuring an image of a minority or a woman (As long as there was no political agenda with the coin). Many of us have stated that we are happy to have Sacagawea on a coin. For many of you, if you want to call someone racist or sexist, perhaps you should look in the mirror while doing so.
So hard to believe that a smart and educated person would make a statement like
"This coin... gives no recognition to the group that has by far contributed the most to the development and advancement of our nation – white males."
Sexism and bigotry at its finest.
When I became a US citizen the presiding judge who administered the oath said: You are no longer white, black, brown, asian, european, or african but simply "Americans!" Some of the comments here seem to be in total contrast to the big heartedness of the nation at large. Mind you as a young teenager I encountered Americans of many stripes who were open and big hearted - MAGNANIMOUS! This coin represents that magnanimity. Purchase it even if you disagree with the theme - you will benefit in the long run, if not monetarily then by becoming a BIG HEARTED HUMAN BEING!
This coin is supposed to represent the diversity of the people populating our nation, yet it gives no recognition to the group that has by far contributed the most to the development and advancement of our nation – white males
When I looked at the coin, I saw four people on it and that's it. When you look at the coin, you take note of the gender and race of everyone on it? Interesting.
That said, having been prompted to reexamine the coin, myself... did it ever occur to you that this coin is just as much a tribute to minorities as it is to diversity?
And what if some token white guy were thrown into the mix? I suppose you'd then be offended because the ethnic ratios were off?
You're right when you say white males are "the group that has by far contributed the most to the development and advancement of our nation". Just take a look at the Presidential coins - forty-three of the forty-four that will be issued will feature white guys. That means that no coin depicting diversity, by your logic, would be complete without 97% of the people on it being white males. Since there are only four people on it that means that all of them would have to be white males! If there were even just one non white male, that'd be 25% when, in point of fact, only 3% of the people on it should be non-white males.
So, basically, to sum your position up, the only way this coin could ever not be racist or sexist was if everyone on it was a white male? DIVERSITY FTW!!!!!
Any word on the 2010 palladium coin or any other coins?
I like history or animals on coins. I'll pass.
Sexism and bigotry at its finest?... Thank you for further illustrating and proving one of my points– anytime a member of the majority speaks up for their group, insults and put downs from the other side. At this blog many of you don’t even have the kahunas to post your name. You throw insults while hiding behind that anonymous name.
Many of you are still missing the main point – that being that promoting an agenda like this in this way WILL offend many people and it shouldn’t have been touched. You can not have complete diversity and tranquility if you try to force either upon people. It seems as if this current liberal/socialist administration has a hidden plan to destroy America from within… It’s working.
This coin is not going to sell out...the collector base for platinum at such a premium does not exist...
Lincoln is regarded as our greatest Presidents. He dealt with sentiments such as the one below during his time:
"You can not have complete diversity and tranquility if you try to force either upon people."
Thanks goodness for the Emancipation Proclamation.
Another diversity issue is being overlooked. How 'bout the transgender group being represented on a coin? And I can no longer sleep at night wondering whether they baby chick on the back of the AGE is male or female. How 'bout Lady Liberty. How do we know she didn't have a lopitoffme operation which would address the transgender oversight. Somebody needs to get to the bottom of this (pun intended).
Michael,
I am disappointed that a blog which so ably addresses the merits of coin design, mintage issues, etc. should be allowed to degenerate into threads of the political rantings from those in either fringe. Can you lay down some ground rules so that the great many in the middle can enjoy their hobby? Those in the fringe already have ample other media outlets to vent their spleens.
Dave - what's your last name? As is, it's rather hypocritical for you to attack people for posting anonymously when you're not posting your last name. I mean, how many Dave's are there in the United States? Over a million, maybe? I guess with such numbers it'd be easier to pick you out than it would be to pick an Anonymous user out from the three hundred million that live in the United States but not much. I mean, what are the odds of picking you out from all Dave's? ~0%? And what are the odds of picking an anonymous user out from all people? ~0%? And last I checked, 0% ~ 0%.
And as for your whole "insults and put downs from the other side" comment... care to provide examples? Maybe you feel the "the only way this coin could ever not be racist or sexist was if everyone on it was a white male" comment was a put down? I guess it's easier to dismiss points out of hand than it is to actually explain why they're not valid.
Edith Bunker - no one is forcing you to buy this coin.
the theme is more "politically correct" than I would like. None-the-less I plan on trying to buy at least one of these since it will be the only platinum offering by the mint this year.
The weather was lovely today. Skies were blue and the sun was shining. What will the weather be like in your part of the world tomorrow?
I swear I've seen that design on a shampoo bottle somewhere!
To anon November 21, 2009 1:48 PM,
41F, wind chill 34F and two brand new Buffalo grazing in bright sunshine.
If you look real close, even the eagle is pissed about this coin!
Archie, I mean -- Anonymous at November 21, 2009 1:21 PM --
I really liked this coin when I saw it. I mean, the last time I saw a coin with four faces on it had a picture of what people were calling Mount Rushmore. And none of those faces even came close to looking like mine!!
But then I thought really long and hard about getting the coin. And I wondered when anyone would want to pay over $1,000 for a coin that has a face value of $100??? And If you look at the coin, it ain't even 100% pure platinum. It has some funny numbers like ".9995 pure."
Gosh Archie, I ain't no dingbat.
COINS NOT POLITICS
COINS NOT POLITICS
COINS NOT POLITICS
I'm all for talking coins and not politics. However, for those of you whining that we should be talking about coins and not politics, contact your senator or congressional representative. They are the idiots disgracing our coinage with their racist political views. Make a political coin and you're going to get a political discussion on a coin blog!
I have no problems with the Sacagawea dollar as she was a great American (keep in mind that Lewis and Clark didn't get their own coin and they led the expedition). Furthermore, I have no problems with coins commemorating the Girl Scouts, Jackie Robinson, Helen Keller, etc. My personal favorite coin is the gold buffalo, which has an American Indian on the front. Now THAT is a beautiful coin based on history; not just using a coin as a political platform to force PC views of diversity down my throat.
Perhaps our joke Mint ought to go back to just putting the imagine of Lady Liberty on our coins...a female by the way. I doubt there would be any political discussions on this board. Instead our PC Mint will choose to end production of AGEs and ASEs, all the while lacing our coins with their liberal touchy-feely agenda. So sorry to offend you Oprah lovers out there (not a great American by the way).
DAVE is exactly right!
The problem with the design is it has nothing to do with the Preamble, I doubt the artist even read the preamble.
It is an artist doing a design on the words alone and what she guessed they meant.
Since the mint is suppose to know what those words in the Preamble mean they should never have picked this design, it is a lie.
A More Perfect Union was for a perfect union of the 13 states, NOT different races. At that time women could not vote, Indians were being killed and slaves were not free.
All of that would be changed later but not through the Preamble, but by further legislation. So this coin does not represent the words as it implies, Sorry.
Edith Bunker - you do realize that 100% platinum is 100% impossible to obtain, don't you?
The American Buffalo is 24k gold and it's 99.99% pure. The most pure gold coin is the 99.9999% pure Canadian Gold Maple Leaf.
If your looking for "rarity", the why buy platinum?? Rhodium is the way to go , very much more scarce.
I would like to thank the committees that vetted this design, thus saving me the $1700 it would have cost me. Glad I already picked up the 2009 proof $50 GAB instead.
Since so many folks dislike the design of this coin, that will mean demand will be low. The coin wil not sell out, like the First Spouse coins.
So that means then, like the First Spouse coins, the platinum coins will go up and up and up in value!! Like the Jackie Robinson coin!
Thank you US Mint for making such a low demand coin.
It's refreshing to see how many "opinions" regarding this coin have been posted. Everyone has a view, everyone is correct. Without actual count, it appears the majority do not like this item and won't be purchasing it. A few will and that's their choice. All the chatter on this blog site and perhaps a few letters to the editor in Coin World, or other publications are lost. The powers that be don't see or read this blog and are oblivious to majority opinion. In fact, they appear to be totally clueless and believe they have done a spectacular job, over and over.
Perhaps one day in the future a report showing dwindling sales will prompt someone to ask why. Too late McGee, too late.
I'm all for celebrating diversity. It's still a terrible design.
I'm glad poultry farmers are represented on this coin with the detached chicken head below the word "Union". They should have put the body running around on the other side. Chicken ranchers have not been represented well enough on US coinage.
As for the rest of the design-PC and prodictable in the cumbya age. I'm showing my respect for diversity by picking up the beautiful gold Buffalo, a coin that truly shows America's greatness...and not a white guy on it for those of you tired of that.
I am the only one here that is "Happy" that my face is not on the coin. BTW, my name is Mo, and I am a Pakistani Taliban and I wear turban all the time.
I would rather stay anonymous for my safety. But I will buy 5 coins and get a first strike.
Ditto on 3:39PM. I was going to check this, but had to work today.
In this case, liberalism has run amok. As you said, the creator of this design (aka "artist?"), obviously thinks that diverse cultures and the elimination of white males in our culture wold be "perfection". I think that whenever the word diversity* is used, there should be an asterisk attached.
*An assortment of races, cultures and religions that does not include white Christian males
I'm surprised any of these "OMG! THESE COINS ARE TEH RACIST!!1" people are buying anything from the U.S. Mint right now. Per Glenn Beck, isn't it your patriotic duty not to supply teh evil Fed with any money so long as a Kenyan Indonesian Muslim calls himself president?
Anon 1:19PM,
You brought up another injustice. If there are a million Daves in the U.S., shouldn't they be represented on the coin, as well????
Archie said...
"Edith Bunker - you do realize that 100% platinum is 100% impossible to obtain, don't you?
The American Buffalo is 24k gold and it's 99.99% pure. The most pure gold coin is the 99.9999% pure Canadian Gold Maple Leaf.
November 21, 2009 3:41 PM"
Uh, according to the "specifications" that accompanied my 09 gold Buffalo proofs they are six nines pure. 99.9999% Fine Gold. Every bit as pure and much prettier than the Maples.
All those "white man" Zach Taylor coins are gonna outnumber the diversity 4 headed platinum. Plus the Zach Taylors are stamped on a diverse metal of copper, zinc, milk of magnesia, tin, cash for clunker metal, horse hockey, and dried apple core. Figure 8000 dp's(diverse plats) at $5000 ea equals $40 mil. Now figure 5 billion ZT's (Zach Taylors) at 10 cents ea. and you get $500 mil (I didn't include the coins in the 49 billion ZT rolls to make it fair). White man always go extra step no matter how you cut cake.
Uh, according to the "specifications" that accompanied my 09 gold Buffalo proofs they are six nines pure. 99.9999% Fine Gold. Every bit as pure and much prettier than the Maples.
Strange... my 08 burnished gold Buffalo says .9999 Fine Gold - not .999999. I'll try to scan it in maybe tomorrow and post it here - would be interesting to see a scan of yours.
While diversity is a good thing, this design is a big FLOP. Period. Thank goodness I'm not a platinum collector so don't have to look at it again. How about that?
The diversity theme will be the start of a beautiful series of platinum coins. I enjoy this theme and future themes because they reflect our true American values.
Looking at the themes for future years, those of us who cherish our core American values will enjoy the first of many significantly important issues to come.
======================
Future American Eagle Platinum Proof coin reverses will feature the following themes:
2010 - To Establish Justice
2011 - To Insure Domestic Tranquility
2012 - To Provide for the Common Defense
2013 - To Promote General Welfare
2014 - To Secure the Blessings of Liberty to Ourselves and our Posterity
Well Archie,
If your 09 gold Buffalo proofs are "99.9999% Fine Gold" and your "08 burnished gold Buffalo says .9999 Fine Gold - not .999999," then that must mean the 09s are MORE pure than the 08s.
So that means that the 09 golds will be MORE VALUABLE than the 08s!
We should buy 20 of the 09 golds. I'm no dingbat!
Despite the fact that platinum is more scarce and more valuable than gold, I prefer the color of the yellow metal.
Give me a gold coin over a platinum coin any day...!
Edith Bunker - regardless of which one is more valuable, I find it strange that the comment section of this blog is the first place the increase in purity is being discussed. It seems like the mint changed the purity and didn't tell anyone and that no one's discovered it until now and that just seems... odd.
Ivory soap is .99 percent pure too.
Maybe they should change their ad to read .9999
percent pure. That might hit a positive note with devoted gold coin collectors...
willy
I thought of the same thing - Ivory soap is 99 - 44/100 pure.
Gee whiz, I wonder if the US Mint's gold and platinum coins will float. One way to find out!
one word for the reverse design... "Ugly". This has to be the one of the worst designs the US mint has come up with over the years I personally loved the plat reverse of previous years because they had what I liked to call a real liberty feel that American coinage has lacked(mostly 2003-2008 but I really loved the 2007 rev). Diversity is part of America but I think Liberty is much more important on an individual level than being diverse. That is just my opinion on the matter. :)
If anyone dislikes the design, one simple solution. Don't buy it.
That's what folks were saying about the Peace Dollar (with the eagle's back shown on the reverse).
It just makes the coin more valuable for those of us who will buy it. (Big $mile$)!
Do you think we've covered every angle on this coin yet?? Michael we need a new post............
I agree - too much heartless and visceral invective. Time to move on!
Yes there are too many cold pricklies. We need more warm fuzzies. Cold pricklies please do not make any further comments. The warm fuzzies will greatly apreciate you taking your cold pricklies elsewhere. If we could only eliminate all the cold pricklies the world and this site would be a better place.
Just goes to show you, liberals have no sense of humor.
The design on this coins bears no resemblence to the original concept of "perfect union". How many of the signers were slaveholders? How many would have allowed women to vote? How many would have been pleased to see native Americans exterminated from this nation? If you had shown this coin at the signing, you would have received nothing but chuckles, and maybe a mild toss out on your rear.
The thing I find most offensive about this coin is it considers any traditional symbols of our "perfect" union, mere afterthoughts...Hmmm...don't we need to put an eagle on here somewhere?
I personally think that a chain of thirteen assorted hands grasping each other in a circle around the eagle would have been more appropriate, and less offensive to any excluded groups.
There are many liberal folks out there that like leftist designed coins. In the end, it is not the poorly closen design that makes the coin undesirable, it is the mint's large mark-up of a coin that has such a high purchase price in the first place. Even an excellent design would be risky to buy at well over $1500, when platinum has sold for less than gold in the past.
Most folks like the color of gold better than platinum and finally, you have much more real consumer demand for gold (if you ever want to sell) than platinum. Even if platinum goes up more than now, most folks either wouldn't be able to afford to buy the "eagle" or could get platinum bullion at a much cheaper price.
It is truly sad that coin collecting and visitors to this site are so narrow minded, bigoted, and sexist.
What would all of you do if Michael decided to close down this blog?
Enough with the idle chatter, gold is on the move again. $1160+
There are many liberal folks out there that like leftist designed coins.
although I do think the diversity isn't what the phrase "a more perfect union" means argument is a good one, i think the notion that this is a leftist design is absurd. as the November 21, 2009 9:28 AM noted, those on the right would likely consider the design leftist, racist, and sexist if there was a single non-white male on it, let alone four. and i'm sure some racists among us would even consider four white males to be an affront if they weren't blue eyed blond haired aryans.
Even an excellent design would be risky to buy at well over $1500, when platinum has sold for less than gold in the past.
i completely agree with this. i bought a 1/4oz platinum coin a few years back and although i would be willing to spend a few hundred for another one, be it 1/10oz or 1/4oz or whatever, paying $1,500+ for a full 1oz coin is not something i'm prepared to do, regardless of how noble the design may be.
what a terrible looking coin. why dont they just stamp screw you on it.
I bought a coin from the guy that stole my gal but the coin was fake so I broke even.
It looks like the Mint might get to break in the next price tier on the gold coins. Today's London Fixes were $1,166 and $1,169.50, bringing the average so far this period to $1,148.25. A little too close for comfort. If you've been putting off buying the Buffalo Proof, you might want to order it before Wednesday morning!
To Anonymous of November 22, 2009 8:32 PM
Take my wife......please.
Henny Youngman
*BULLETIN*BULLETIN*BULLETIN
Next week's Coin World has a front page story reporting that a Legislator is seeking Proof 2009 American Eagles be produced. Moy has been "contacted".
The entire U.S. House of Representatives is being asked by one of its members to urge U.S. Mint Director Edmund C. Moy to reverse the Mint's decision not to produce Proof 2009-W American Eagle gold and silver coins.
Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. Stay tuned for fast breaking developments.
Most likely is will be a 24 hr window if Moy backs down.-Grandpa
Awww, come on, grampa. You are just teasing us.
Nope, Grandpa don't fool around about his coin collections. The sponsor spearheading the effort is Rep. Gary Peters of Michigan. We understand that "panic" has set out in the hallowed halls of the Mint, and fingers are being pointed as to "who" directed a rush to destroy the already prepared dies and 2009 packaging. A little bird suggested the "package" was not destroyed, but placed into safekeeping. LOL. This whole fiasco is reminiscient of the final scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark that showed the Ark being wheeled down a long corridor in a Government warehouse, only to be placed away and forgotten.
Hold on to your hats kids, there will be a limited subscription 1 week end of year effort, then maybe a lottery for those who signed up. Wanna bet it will be a 1 coin per address deal????? Wait until the sharpies on ebay pick up on this one. Can you say $500 opening bid? Yup.~ Grandpa
I called up Coin World online. They do have a link on their website about Peters request for 2009 ASEs but since I am not a subscriber I couldn't call it up. Perhaps someone who has a membership can post the text here. Thanks
To All -
There is indeed a Coin World article titled, "Legislator seeks Proof '09 American Eagles - Sends Dear Colleague letter to members of U.S. House" by Paul Gilkes. However, the author makes it clear that the production of American eagles is a request. It is not a fact. Nor does the article imply that the request is even being seriously considered.
For now, consider the creation of the proof eagles to be speculation. Wishful, hopeful thinking. I'm sure if proofs are minted, we will hear much more about it in the future.
On December 3, there is a choice between a PC coin or another PC coin. By that I mean the platinum eagle or the gold spouse.
Hmmmm....tough decision. Both will have low mintages, both have extreme markups, and both are politically motivated to make some liberal-minded constituency get goose bumps.
Zach Taylor...aka ole' rough and ready...was a 40 year army veteran and kicked some butt in the Mexican-American war (not a real diversity minded policy). On the other hand, just looking at the platinum coin makes me want to hug everyone I see (except white males of course).
Revelation...I can get Zach's wife and have diversity (fortunately he married a female instead of just living with a white male partner) while getting a gold coin for much less than the PC platinum coin. Thank goodness...I will be able to sleep tonight now that that decision has been made! Whew!
To :November 23, 2009 3:33 PM poster -
Indeed Rep. Gary Peters sent each member of Congress a "request", a notification if you will, about Mint Director Moy's pronouncement not to mint 2009 Eagles. Yes there is no guarantee that Moy will reverse a bad decision, HOWEVER, what any lackluster appointee does NOT want is to have 'everyone' learn of his job and image failing. Congressmen just eat that stuff up, I know, been there (in Washington) done that. Here's an opportunity to gain some good press, make new allies of collectors, and openly display their outrage that the "public" is not being served. If these people can shove the present Health Care Initiative down everyones throat at a cost of hundreds of billions, they can do a 35-50K Eagle run with ease. The die(s) are cast (no pun intended), item packaging is ready to go, the Mint already buried manufacturing costs in the 2009 budget, and all they need is 100 hours on 2 machines. The letter writing campaign, emails and faxes to Congressmen & State Senators, editorials, etc. have finally reached a sympathetic ear. Moy could come out of this fiasco in better shape and stature than when he started. I think they will do the right thing. Actaully, for anyone on the bottom already, any signs of life is huge. -Grandpa
Politically correct propaganda has ruined commemorative stamps...now I see they are about to ruin coins too.
The collector community is starved for true collectable coins not those with "I love you or he ain't heavy he's my brother messages" symbolized on them. If they were able to crank out some AGE's and ASE's I hope they are able to do at least 50 large of each or they will just enhance the unhappiness that has already been created.
They left off a bunch of cab drivers and Motel 6 managers.....so sad.
Is it my cheap monitor or just my bad eyesight, but isn't there a white male missing from that illustrious group of "Americans"?
I commented above about the Mint producing 50 large of ASE's and AGE's. I will have to correct myself as I just looked at the gold price. I don't know, with the price heading up, 50 large of AGE's may be way too many to fly out the door. Also I have no problem with the mint producing "I love you, man" type coins just please do them on the medals, Zach Taylor blanks, or commem's.
I long for the days where the coins had lady liberty (who is ironically is out of fashion in WDC these days thank to those currently in power) and the bald eagle. Insult to injury, the coins with those symbols on it (AGEs and ASEs) were scrapped this year in favor of the PC coins like the platinum and spouses.
One notable exception and the nicest coin this year (IMO) was the gold UHR.
I long for the days where the coins had lady liberty (who is ironically is out of fashion in WDC these days thank to those currently in power)
You mean people like Edmund C. Moy, who was appointed by George W. Bush in 2005? Or do you believe Moy incapable of making decisions on his own?
Interesting how when you reply to a comment there are icons distinguishing anonymous users from logged in users yet when viewing comments there are no such icons.
Well, it's pretty much official that the Mint will be raising the prices on the gold coins tomorrow. The average of London fixes this week stands at $1,152.88. If tomorrow's AM fix comes in at $1,127 or more, the prices will go up. I'd say the chances of the price fix being at that amount or greater are pretty well guaranteed.
Welcome to the world of $1,539 UHR's, $754/$741 First Spouses and $1,460 Proof Buffalos!
"Welcome to the world of $1,539 UHR's, $754/$741 First Spouses and $1,460 Proof Buffalos!"
Well, I guess that's important if you are desparate to be parted from your money. In the old days, we bought coins of all compositions because they were fairly decent looking and gave pleasure to view. In the new era, it seems all one cares about is not what the item looks like, what work went into creating something beautiful, etc.
It seems all that matters is that it's 1 ounce, and at the low end of a pumped price. That's OK for some without any question....on the other hand, no one is going to
goad me into swarming over the edge of sanity. I still have the ability to reason. I could be a lot of things, but I sure am not a lemming.
@November 23, 2009 7:22 PM blogger:
"Diversity" is code for any non-straight white male person. There is a white female pictured, so that takes care of the caucasian representation. One can only assume that one of the four people are also gay.
It's also the worst artwork ever-- it's like after the design was finished they realized that they needed something else to make sure it was obvious that the Indian was an Indian so they stuck a miniature feather coming out of his head, almost as an afterthought. woo-woo-woo-woo-woo!! Also, the Asian woman's hair is dreadful-- there is a hard outline of her head but her hair is somehow flowing out from behind awkwardly; it's absolutely terrible artwork, the mint should be ashamed for perpetrating this design crime. Amusingly the Black man looks like a young Danny Glover-- if I were him I would buy one. But where is the Mexican laborer? Also that Eagle privy mark is the worst since the Franklin Half reverse. Ok done bitchin' now.
About the platinum coin.
Simple resolution. If you don't like the design, don't buy it. Period.
How many of you were really intending it to buy it anyway?
Intereting propaganda token. I am not spending my hard earned money on it.
I thought this was suppose to be a Platinum Eagle? The back only has a eagle head so small that most folks would have missed it. In my mind the back is the worst design yet...
My wife just pointed out to me that the coin is depicting four women. I thought is it was two women and two men. Boy if she's right, they really did an injustice to the Native American and Black women. Shame on the US Mint...
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