American Eagle Proof Strike Estate Collection
United States Minted, Collector Coveted
The world of precious metal coinage is full of history. Sovereign Mints around the globe have produced coins that carry with them not only condition and rarity but also a sense of the time they were created and how the world was around them.
The United States Mint’s most popular modern era offering of precious metal coinage is the American Eagle Proof Series. The highly coveted proof strike features a mirror-like field with contrasting designs distinguished by sharpness of detail.
Gold and Silver Eagles began the Type 1 proof series in 1986 and continue to be collector favorites though 2021. The Platinum Eagles joined the proof series in 1997 with four coin sets though 2008 followed by one ounce coins with a variety of designs.
Since 1997, RPMEX has assembled and placed proof strike date runs in all three metal types for our clientele. Now for the first time we are pleased to announce the assembly of a multi-metal proof strike American Eagle Estate Collection combined in one offering. We’ve done the heavy lifting of locating, acquiring, certifying and assembling virtually the entire proof strike series and offering this incredible collection for acquisition in one lot.
For more information and pricing call (800) 257-3253
American Gold Eagle Proof Strike (Type-1 & 2)
1986 – 2023 (136 Coins)
The American Gold Eagle Proof Strike (Type 1) coins are struck in four denominations: $50 one ounce, $25 half ounce, $10 quarter ounce and $5 tenth ounce. The obverse features a modified rendition of the Augustus Saint-Gaudens design used on U.S. twenty-dollar gold pieces from 1907 until 1933. The reverse displays a “family of eagles” motif designed by Mile Busiek. Gold proof strikes are the coveted choice of collectors, with their low mintage and ultra-cameo contrasted beauty.
Within the gold series there a couple of unique era characteristics. Between 1986 and 1991 the American Gold Eagle Proof Strike (Type 1) coins were struck with roman numeral dating which aligns with the U.S. Mint’s long history of replicating design features from Roman and Greek coins. The second unique characteristic of the American Gold Eagle Proof Strike (Type 1) series is that they were struck exclusively at the United States West Point Mint other than a brief period from 1988 though 1993 when the fractional $5, $10 and $25 coins were struck with the “P” mint mark identifying them as minted at the United States Philadelphia Mint. As a rule of thumb, U.S. coins that do not have a struck mint mark are minted at the Untied States Philadelphia Mint. Why they chose to strike the coins with the “P” is a bit of a mystery.
The 20th Anniversary Gold Eagle Set was issued by the US Mint to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the popular collector coin series. Each set contained three coins: the 2006-W Proof Gold Eagle, the 2006-W Uncirculated Gold Eagle, and the 2006-W Reverse Proof Gold Eagle.
The collectible proof and uncirculated coins contained in the set were available in other US Mint product offerings, but the 2006-W Reverse Proof Gold Eagle was unique to the set. It was also the first time that the US Mint had used this type of finish. The raised design elements of the coin are mirrored and the background fields are frosted. This is the reverse of the typical cameo proof finish.
The Estate Collection includes the entire American gold eagle (Type-1) proof strike series issued from their inception in 1986 through 2021 totaling 135 coins. It also includes the Type 2 sets from 2021 – 2023. The collection also includes the coveted 2006-W $50 Reverse Proof coin from the 20th Anniversary Set. Each of the coins have been independently certified for their authenticity, strike and condition by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC). There were no proof strike gold eagles minted in 2009.
American Silver Eagle Proof Strike (Type-1)
1986-2023
The estate collection also includes the American Silver Eagle Type-1 proof strike series which also began in 1986.
The American Silver Eagle (Type-1) proof strike series also began in 1986 and ran through 2021. This is the most collected modern era silver coin based on its affordability and design. Their obverse has Adolph A. Weinman’s Liberty Walking design used on the half dollar coins from 1916 through 1947.
1995 -W
The 1995-W Proof Silver Eagle is the key date coin of the series. The coin was produced and sold only as part of the 10th Anniversary American Eagle Proof Set. During the period of availability from the United States Mint, a total of 30,125 sets were sold.
Examples of the 1995-W Proof Silver Eagle graded NGC PF 70 Ultra Cameo have sold for prices of $20,000 or more. An example graded PCGS PR70DCAM realized the astounding price of $85,654.70 on March 31, 2013, representing the highest price ever paid for any American Silver Eagle. Later in the year, another example receiving the same PCGS graded sold for the even higher price of $90,000.
American Platinum Eagle Proof Strike
1997 – 2023 (63 Coins)
The American Platinum Eagle proof strike series began in 1997. We like to say that this collection “history in the making” with nothing to gain over time but more value. Between their unique reverse designs combined their low mintage, the American Platinum Eagle proof strikes have all the characteristics of being a top quality precious metal collection.
In 1997, the first Platinum American Eagles appeared. Like their Gold Eagle counterparts, the Platinum Eagles are minted in four denominations and sizes: ($10 – 1/10 oz), ($25 – 1/4 oz), ($50 – 1/2 oz) and the first ever ($100 – 1oz) legal tender coin in U.S. History. U.S. Mint Sculptor John M. Mercanti’s striking rendition of Lady Liberty’s face has graced the obverse of all Proof American Platinum Eagles from 1997 – 2017. Thomas D. Rodgers’ design, featuring an Eagle flying west as the rising sun breaks off the Earth’s horizon behind him, has adorned the reverse of all business strike Platinum Eagles since 1997. However, since the law authorizing the Platinum Eagles calls for the reverse design of the Proof coins to change each year, only the 1997 proofs feature Rodger’s classic design.
| YEAR | DESCRIPTION | # COINS |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | To Promote the General Welfare “Original Design” | 4 |
| 1998 | Eagle Over New England “Vistas of Liberty” | 4 |
| 1999 | Eagle Above Southeastern Wetlands “Vistas of Liberty” | 4 |
| 2000 | Eagle Above America’s Heartland “Vistas of Liberty” | 4 |
| 2001 | Eagle Above America’s Southwest “Vistas of Liberty” | 4 |
| 2002 | Eagle Fishing in America’s Northwest “Vistas of Liberty” | 4 |
| 2003 | Depiction of an American Eagle perched on a branch of a Rocky Mountain pine tree with an American flag in the background. | 4 |
| 2004 | Depicted on this coin is a sculpture named “America”, displayed at the US Customs House, New York City. | 4 |
| 2005 | Depicts a portrait of an American Bald Eagle upon the heraldic shield. Also displayed are a number of symbols that represent America and it’s strength and beauty. | 4 |
| 2006 | Legislative Muse “The Foundations of American Democracy” | 4 |
| 2007 | Executive Branch “The Foundations of American Democracy” | 4 |
| 2007 | Two coin 2007 10th Anniversary Set Contains 1 x $50 Proof – 1 x $50 Reverse Proof | 2 |
| 2008 | Judicial Branch “The Foundations of American Democracy” | 4 |
| 2009 | To Form A More Perfect Union “Preamble to the Constitution” Series | 1 |
| 2010 | To Establish Justice “Preamble to the Constitution” Series | 1 |
| 2011 | To Promote the General Welfare “Preamble to the Constitution” Series | 1 |
| 2012 | “For the Common Defence” “Preamble to the Constitution” Series | 1 |
| 2013 | To Promote the General Welfare “Preamble to the Constitution” Series | 1 |
| 2014 | To secure the Blessings of Liberty to Ourselves and Our Posterity “Preamble to the Constitution” Series | 1 |
| 2015 | Liberty Nurtures Freedom “Torches of Freedom” Series | 1 |
| 2016 | Portrait of Liberty “Torches of Freedom” Series | 1 |
| 2017 | Eagle Soaring “Standard Design Resumed” | 1 |
| 2018 | Life “Preamble to the Declaration of Independence” Series | 1 |
| 2019 | Liberty “Preamble to the Declaration of Independence” Series | 1 |
| 2020 | Happiness “Preamble to the Declaration of Independence” Series | 1 |
| 2021 | The first of a five-year coin series with the theme “First Amendment to the United States Constitution – Freedom of Religion”. | 1 |
| 2022 | The second design of a five-year series with the theme “First Amendment to the United States Constitution – Freedom of Speech”. | 1 |
| 2023 | The third design of a five-year coin series with the theme “First Amendment to the United States Constitution – Freedom of the Press”. | 1 |
| Total Coins | 65 |
2007 10th Anniversary Set is included in the Platinum Eagles.
The United States Mint issued the 2007 10th Anniversary American Platinum Eagle Set to celebrate the important milestone for the series.
The special set followed the release of both proof and uncirculated numismatic versions earlier in the year. Each set would contain two one-half ounce platinum coins. The first carried a standard cameo proof finish, with frosted raised elements and mirrored background fields. The second had a special reverse proof finish, with mirrored raised elements over frosted background fields. Both coins carried the executive branch reverse design by Thomas Cleveland
