The American Eagle Series is a classic bullion collection that showcases some of the greatest American coin designs in the US Mint’s history. The series was introduced in 1986 with gold and silver, expanding a decade later to include a platinum version in 1997. Fast forward another two decades, and the US Mint expanded the series into another metal group with the American Eagle Palladium Coin.
After a seven-year anticipation, the United States Mint unveiled the American Eagle Palladium Series in 2017, marking the first addition to the American Eagle Series in two decades. Authorized by the American Eagle Palladium Bullion Coin Act of 2010, this coin joined the existing American Eagle Series, which commenced in 1986 with the Gold Eagle and Silver Eagle. The series expanded in 1997 to include the Platinum Eagle. Enacted by the 111th US Congress, the Palladium Bullion Coin Act introduced two historic design elements on the obverse and reverse fields.
On the obverse of all American Eagle 1 oz Palladium Coins is the iconic Winged Liberty, a left-profile portrait of Liberty created by Adolph A. Weinman in 1916. Originally featured on the Mercury Dime, Liberty wears a winged Phrygian cap, with inscriptions of “Liberty,” “In God We Trust,” and “2017.” The initials “AW” pay homage to Weinman.
Weinman’s original design, known as the Winged Liberty Dime, earned the nickname Mercury Dime due to Liberty’s resemblance to the Roman messenger god, Mercury.
The reverse face features another Weinman design, not previously used on American coinage. Instead of the Mercury Dime reverse, the US Mint opted for a 1907 design created by Weinman for the American Institute of Architects medal. This design showcases a majestic bald eagle perched on a cliff, clutching a sapling in its talons and beak. Inscriptions on this side include “United States of America,” “$25,” “1 oz. Pd .9995 Fine,” and “E Pluribus Unum.”
While the American Eagle Palladium Coin shares similarities with other American Eagle bullion coins, offering the highest metal purity and at least a 1 oz option annually, the US Mint’s approach to coining it is unique. Unlike the regular issuance of Brilliant Uncirculated, Proof, and Burnished versions for the American Gold and Silver Eagles (since 2006), and Brilliant Uncirculated and Proof for the American Platinum Eagle, the American Palladium Eagle has a distinctive approach.
The US Mint releases the American Eagle Palladium Coin annually with a different version each year. The options include:
All American Eagle Palladium Coins from 2017 to 2020 were issued by the West Point Mint. However, only the Proof, Reverse Proof, and Burnished coins feature the “W” mint mark on the obverse field below “In God We Trust” near Liberty’s neckline.
The Proof coin showcases traditional proof visuals, with frosted design elements overlaying mirrored fields. The 2019 release of a reverse proof provides the opposite visual effect, featuring mirrored design strikes over frosted background fields. The 2020 burnished coin introduces the clean, matte elements seen in other US Mint burnished coins to the American Eagle Palladium Series.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Provident Metals if you have any questions about American Eagle Palladium Coins. Our team is available at 800-313-3315, online through our web chat, and via our email address.