1997 to 2006 Platinum American Eagles

1997 to 2007 Platinum Proof Set All 44 Coins
(11 4 pc proof sets) PCGS DEP CAMEO PROOF 69
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PLATINUM AMERICAN EAGLE MINTAGE FIGURES

PLATINUM HISTORY AND INVESTMENT

Conquistadors, Counterfeiters, Scientists and Artists

The word platinum sometimes enjoys a cache higher even than gold, as platinum albums and platinum credit cards attest. However, widespread knowledge of the white metal stretches back only a few hundred years, versus thousands for gold. Despite being worked with some skill by South American Indians over 1,000 years ago, it was not until after the Spanish conquest of the New World during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries that news reached Europe of a new white metal with unusual properties.

By the end of the 17th century, the Spanish Conquistadors had discovered alluvial deposits of platinum while they were panning for gold in the Choco region in what is today Colombia. They considered the metal a nuisance because it interfered with their gold mining activities. In fact, since platinum was considered of little value, forgers were soon using it to adulterate Spanish gold coins..

Despite its extreme rarity, platinum's extraordinary properties made it of interest to European scientists. Upon its introduction to Europe, platinum was noted as a substance that could not "melt by fire or by any of the Spanish arts." It was known to be even heavier than gold and to be virtually impossible to corrode with gases or chemicals. These properties piqued the interest of a Swedish assayer named Scheffer who, in 1751, recognized platinum as the seventh element known to exist up until that time. He was also the first to successfully melt platinum.

Early Industrial Use

During the rest of the eighteenth century, platinum's star rose quickly. The very qualities that had, for centuries, made platinum difficult to work, now made it attractive for industrial uses. For example, platinum was used to make durable laboratory instruments in Berlin in 1784. In 1780, it was being used in France to make crucibles for glass production, a use that, to this day, consumes tens of thousands of ounces of platinum each year.

1700’s
As new industrial uses for the metal were discovered, platinum's tarnishless beauty and strength also began to impress jewelers and goldsmiths. In 1788, Francisco Alonso of Spain crafted a platinum chalice, weighing nearly two kilograms, for Pope Pius VI. Other leading metal workers, such as Marc Janety, Royal Goldsmith to Louis XVI, and Pierre Chabaneu, of Spain, were also enchanted with platinum. Soon, platinum was being used to make expensive cutlery, watch-chains and coat buttons.

1800’s
Early in the 19th century, new refining techniques increased platinum's availability for use in a growing number of industries. As more platinum became available, it was soon being used in gun parts, sophisticated batteries and fuel cells, the production of caustic chemicals (the first platinum sulfuric acid boiler weighed over 400 ounces) and the purification of hydrogen.

One constant problem preventing the even more rapid spread of platinum use was its extremely limited supply. In fact, in 1820, Columbia, still the only major producer of platinum in the world, ceased exporting the metal due to the nation's independence from Spain. Luckily for the growing platinum industry, a new supplier was soon found: Russia.

In 1822, alluvial platinum was proved to be present in the gold fields of the Ural Mountains. Since there was little demand for platinum in Russia for jewelry, industrial or scientific use, and still only modest amounts were needed abroad, the Russian government decided to make platinum into a monetary metal by producing platinum roubles. Over the next 18 years, the Russian government minted almost 500,000 ounces of platinum and, perhaps more importantly, introduced to the world the notion that platinum was not just a commodity, but was also, like gold, a store of value.

Jewelry
While industry and bullion coinage were major consumers of platinum in the 19th century, platinum jewelry remained rare until high-temperature jewelers' torches were developed later. Once this development was made, jewelry makers were quick to take advantage of platinum. Before the first decade of this century, the whiteness of diamonds had long been highlighted by setting them in silver. However, silver's relative softness meant that these settings had to be relatively heavy -- taking away some of the brilliance of the stone. Thus, as jewelers became more adept at using "the other white metal," platinum quickly took over the role of the diamond setting of choice.

The number and scope of platinum's industrial uses have skyrocketed during this century to include neurosurgical and dental apparatus, drugs for cancer treatment, computer and automotive equipment. Indeed, one of every five goods manufactured either contains or is produced using platinum. One of its most essential uses is in auto catalytic converters. Within autocatalysts, platinum converts harmful emissions into carbon dioxide and water. Nearly one third of newly mined platinum is used in this fashion. Due to its function in the automotive industry, it has been dubbed "the environmental metal."

While new uses for platinum are being discovered almost daily, its supply is extremely restricted. Remarkable difficulties exist in its mining and production, with between 5 and 6 million ounces of new platinum reaching the world market each year; that figure is less than 5% of gold production.

It is estimated that all of the platinum ever mined would fill a room measuring less than twenty-five feet on a side.

Refining the metal poses its own problems; platinum occurs naturally in combination with other metals, necessitating an intricate process of extraction that takes about six months.

Limited Sources
This problem is exacerbated by the limited sources of platinum production. The world's growing appetite for platinum is essentially satisfied by the mining activities in just two regions. The Bushveld Complex, which is just north of South Africa's capital, Pretoria, is one. The mines in this area produce more than two thirds of the platinum that reaches the markets each year. The other site is in the Noril'sk-Talnakh region in the extreme north of Siberia in Russia. It is estimated that at least one quarter of the world's supply is either currently mined here or is from above ground stocks that were accumulated over many years. Russia is the only nation with significant stocks of platinum and it is believed that these may be running out.

Platinum's relative scarcity in the face of newly discovered and ever-increasing uses makes for an attractive 21st century investment. Platinum's historical price performance and its unique fundamentals are attracting an increasing number of informed investors. Precious metals have long been recognized for their tendency to appreciate when other financial instruments like stocks and bonds are declining. Investors, however, are not content with simply "securing" their assets against inflation and other economic dangers. They also demand the opportunity for capital appreciation. Platinum's unique fundamentals offer investors both: The ability to hedge against uncertainty and the potential for profit.

Platinum's supply/demand fundamentals are tight. In fact, according to some estimates, were platinum mining to cease today, above ground reserves would last about one year. In contrast, gold reserves would last nearly one quarter of a century. Platinum's supply is tight even during periods of relatively normal mining production. Enough platinum was supplied to world markets last year only after Russia exported considerable amounts of platinum from its shrinking above-ground reserves.

The Investment Vehicle-Platinum Futures
Although Russia introduced platinum coinage over 150 years ago, investors had to wait until the second half of the last century before they could easily invest in platinum. In 1956, the New York Mercantile Exchange introduced platinum futures as a way to diversify from its exclusively agricultural offerings. While futures offered a standard and liquid outlet, the highly leveraged nature of futures trading meant that individual investors faced a high risk of losing a large share of their investment due to small changes in the price of the underlying commodity. As a consequence, most platinum futures contracts are today held by industrial hedgers or major speculators.

Platinum Bullion
In 1975, after the Arab Oil Embargo and collapse of the Bretton-Woods agreement sparked increases in precious metals prices, Tanaka Kikinzouku Kogyo KK, the leading bullion house in Japan, introduced platinum bars that were small enough for the individual investor to buy. With platinum close to $180 per ounce, Tanaka's five gram and ten gram bars could be bought by investors for well under $100.

That platinum bullion investments were first introduced in Japan made perfect sense because platinum jewelry was already highly popular there.

In 1997, the United States Mint launched its first platinum bullion coin, The Platinum American Eagle. The launch of the Platinum Eagle brought a near doubling in investment demand from 1996 levels. The Platinum Eagle quickly became the most popular platinum coin in the world, with the bullion fractionals selling at premiums to their original cost owing to the relative scarcity and popularity of the coins.

The Proof Platinum American Eagles experienced such heavy demand when first released that many denominations sold out completely. Being "first" in many categories, collectors have been willing to pay premiums on the secondary market for the Platinum American Eagle proofs. The Vistas of Liberty series, started in 1998, features on the Platinum Eagles five different regions of the United States, with the program running through the year 2005. No coins like these can ever be struck again - and collectors have responded accordingly.

So after 100 years of no investment options, the platinum investor now can choose between legal tender coins, bullion bars, exchange traded futures and options or even various numismatic coin products.

However, while the development of platinum as an industrial, jewelry and investment product has been an interesting one, the white metal's most exciting advances may lie ahead. As trade barriers have fallen and command economies have been privatized, we have seen the acceleration of economic growth throughout the world.

What makes this so exciting for platinum investors is that, in contrast with gold and silver, as countries become wealthier, they spend an increasing share of their wealth on platinum.

From being the metal that polluted the gold of the Conquistadors to its recognition as being the rarest or even the most precious of the precious metals, platinum's odyssey has given it the investment performance of a precious metals hedge with the potential of the scarcest of industrial commodities.
 

Rare Coin always have been a time tested money maker. The secret is you must have the right coins. at the right time, at the right price, for the right reasons. As in any investment we recommend quality, the scarcest and finest quality coins with the highest market demand. In short quality begets quality, and quality will never deceive you.

When you follow our advice you will be able to secure coins that are a great value for the money. What you really want is coins that everybody wants and nobody has. These concepts if applied properly can make you
allot of money in Rare Coins.

Like conventional wisdom has always dictated we highly recommend you buy Rare Coins when the market is soft. It is the old adage you buy the weakness and sell the strength. This concept is common sense but over the decades in this business we have found that the most important thing about common sense is it ain’t common!

What we are trying to get across to you is that you must anchor what you do in the Rare coin Market in basics and fundamentals. Our experience has given us the ability to identify and communicate to you the basic and fundamental reasons on “WHY” a particular coin should be in your portfolio.

Vince Lombardi was asked “what was the key to being a consistent winner and a champion?” His answer was a profound as it was was simple. His answer was “we have become brilliant on the basics and fundamentals of football”. Our approach is the same.

Zero in on your target and don’t confuse coin collectin with coin investing. Rare coins are exactly that rare. These pieces are of originally low mintages and in some cases only several thousand to several hundres remain known to exist in uncirculated condition. The higher the grade the rarer the coin, the greater the value and then of course the greater the profit potential.

"Rare Gold  Coins by definition are Pre-1933 U.S. gold coins, that had low mintages. Millions  were destroyed  when Predident Roosevelt recalled all the gold in circulation and that which was stored to the U.S. Treasury in 1933. This historical fact makes every Pre 1933 U. S. gold coin rare to some degree.  These coins have a limited, fixed supply and have historically soared in value when investor demand overwhelms their availability.  Rare coins go up as well as down in value.  We believe the most successful investment portfolios of U.S. Rare Coins were built in soft  markets when gold and silver prices are lower. The key is to buy the weakness in the market.

MAKE A PLAN WITH ONE OF OUR RARE COIN SPECIALISTS. Decide how much you want to invest, commit to a long term holding period 5 to 7 years maybe 10 years. Just like a piece of real estate coins must also appreciate as the market grows and supplies dwindle. Remember that great athletes are great because they follow a plan and rare coin investing is no different. Campions are not made overnight. This is not a get rich quick scheme, if that is what you want go else where because rare coins are not for you.

The most successful collectors seek out expert advice early and then follow their plan. A simple, productive and historically profitable strategy is to build sets. Now you can build sets horizontally or vertically. You can also build sets by grade. For example you can build an 1899 Liberty Gold Set in MS 65. That is a $20 Liberty, a $10 Liberty, $a $5 Liberty and a $2 ½ Liberty. That would be a horizontal Set.

A vertical set would be every $20 Liberty from 1850 to 1907 in the highest grade known to exist, in uncirculated condition, a complete set of $10 Liberty from 1838 to 1907 etc. Do you get the picture? You can do this with any coin you wish to collect and invest in. A very popular set is the $2 ½ Indian Sets in MS 60 or higher from 1908 to 1929. Historically sets have always brought a premium as a set to be significantly more than the sum of the individual parts.

The longer you hold your coins the more investors enter the market, the more demand is placed on the very limited supply, the higher the price over time due to the non-stop price and demand pressure on a known limited supply.

OUR EXPERTISE IS UNPARALLED- NO MUMBO JUMBO HERE. Plain and simple we have a PhD in what not to do. We gurantee to save you money and time. We will beat any price on any coin from any legitimate dealer, which you must disclose so we can beat the price and the recommendation.

THE FIVE KEYS TO PROFITABLE COIN INVESTING Build a balanced and diversified  Portfolio, which shoild be the finest and rarest coins you can afford.

1. Invest in Coins with a Historically Strong Demand.  In simple English you want to have coins that e very body wants and nobody has.

 Look for a Dealer You Can Trust
Before investing in any rare coins, you should look for a dealer you can trust.  We are the  internet's low price leader  and dealer for U.S. Rare Coins. We have decades of experience and can advise you and guide you to get more coins for your money. Remember will give you and share our PhD in what not to do which over the last 30 years has saved thousands of customers money and time.

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