Buy Platinum Coins Online from SD Bullion
Although platinum may not command the popularity that gold and silver enjoy, it is still considered a sought-after precious metal, especially for investors and collectors looking to diversify their portfolio and expand their collections. Mints across the world have been producing platinum coins for years, trying to meet global investor and collector demand.
Even though no country still uses bullion as currency, investors around the world still look for precious metals to invest in and include in their portfolios.
Market turmoils usually affect more fiat money than commodities, like precious metals. Because of their intrinsic value, bullion assets tend to be less prone to devaluations and maintain their value over time, making them a hedge against wealth losses in moments of monetary instability.
Besides the popularity of silver and gold coins, platinum coins have grabbed investors’ and collectors’ attention since their first release. Platinum was already typical for industrial purposes, but coinage in a scenario of scarce supplies made platinum coins something to keep an eye out for because of its potential for future profit.
Collectors of gold and silver coins now count on a new item to add to their collections. And investors got a new sensible investment option for their diversified portfolios.
Why buy Platinum coins?
Just like gold and silver coins, most government mints produce platinum coins on behalf of their sovereign nations. The coins produced receive monetary denominations and hold legal tender status, which makes them real money.
Their face value plays a secondary role, though, as these coins' worth actually comes from their intrinsic precious metal value based on the platinum spot price, which is substantially higher than their denomination.
Another interesting factor about purchasing coins instead of other platinum items is their semi-numismatic appeal to collectors. Like other sovereign-minted coins, they carry distinctive designs exhibiting stunning images contextualized by symbolism and national culture.
Platinum coins are an alternative to the traditional series of coins for those who usually invest only in gold and silver samples. Some of the most popular pieces available in the market are part of exclusive coin collections, which are annually stricken to meet these excited collectors.
It also applies to beginner investors or experienced ones who discovered the value of a diversified investment portfolio. Those who already made inputs in gold and silver bullion may find another option of precious metals in platinum to add to their assets.
When Platinum Bullion Coins Became Popular
Platinum, with gold, silver, and palladium, is a noble metal. It is rare, corrosion-resistant, durable, and valuable to the automotive industry and high-class jewelry manufacturers.
The first use of platinum dates back to the ancient Egyptians when some artifacts showcased decorations made of precious metals.
Despite being the largest producer of platinum, accounting for 75% of the global supplies, South Africa was not the pioneer of platinum coinage. The first official record platinum coin as a currency in the world dates back to the 1820s in Russia. The Platinum Roubles circulated between 1828 and 1845 in that country, estimating 500,000 ounces of coined platinum.
After that period, the most prominent mints to reintroduce high-quality platinum coins to the market were the Royal Canadian Mint and the Australian Perth Mint, with the Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf and the Platinum Koala, both released in 1988.
The US Mint produced their first platinum coin in 1997, the American Platinum Eagle. The series debuted with coins of $10, $25, $50, and $100 denominations, but the fractional sizes were discontinued.
The Growth of the Platinum Coins Market
2016 became a landmark in the history of platinum coinage because of two 1 oz Platinum coins released that year: the Austrian Platinum Philharmonic and the Somalian Platinum Elephant, both made of 99.95% pure platinum.
The Austrian Platinum Philharmonic repeats its gold and silver counterparts in motif: the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and its basilar musical instruments.
The Somalian Platinum Elephant also follows its counterparts motif, the African Elephant, which get a new obverse design for each yearly strike, and the Coat of Arms of Somalia on the reverse.
The succeeding coins came from other important mints with an international background. They enjoyed the opportunity to present their own versions, boosting the bullion market for the upcoming platinum coins.
Popular Platinum Coin Series
Here's a quick look at a few famous coin series in this lineup.
American Platinum Eagles
The American Eagle coin program became one of the first coin series to feature a platinum variant. The US Mint released this coin in 1997, taking advantage of a welcoming international demand.
Their quality is top-notch, as expected of any product from the United States Mint. These coins are struck using 0.9995 pure platinum and bear face values guaranteed by the US Government. Despite currently producing only 1 oz coins, fractional sizes had a temporary production only.
The series debuted with bullion and proof coins of 1 oz, ½ oz, ¼ oz, and 1/10 oz. However, in 2008, the US Mint suspended the fractional weight coins in proof and bullion versions. Only the Proof 1 oz Platinum Eagle remained in the production line. The bullion 1 oz returned in 2014, skipped the 2015 edition, and got a restart in 2016 with annual releases.
The distinctive aspect of Proof Platinum Eagles is their designs. Unlike the BU counterparts, Platinum Eagles renew obverse and reverse designs at each mintage. The American Bald Eagle is a steady element, but the theme changes yearly.
Australian Platinum Kangaroo
The Kangaroo coin program from the Perth Mint has been top-rated since the introduction of Gold Kangaroos in the market in 1990, ensuring the instant success of platinum variants in 2018. The series, which shares the Australian Red Kangaroo as a motif, are issued annually containing 0.9995 pure platinum and a face value guaranteed by Australia.
Australian Platinum Platypus
Another platinum option produced in Australia by the Perth Mint worth investing in is the Australian Platinum Platypus, one of the most popular designs, along with the Kangaroo Series. As the moniker suggests, the reverse side features a platypus depiction.
Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf
The finest quality of Canadian Maple Leaf coins is a trademark of the Royal Canadian Mint. Launched in 1988, the Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf Coins boast high purity levels. The coins bear CAD face values indicating the Canadian government's full backing. They display the usual maple leaf design with incredible attention to detail.
Britannia Platinum Coins
Platinum coins at the Britannia Series arrived on the private market 31 years after the first Britannia release. The coins, produced only in 1 oz and 1/10 oz sizes, carry the standard design of Philip Nathan’s Britannia on the reverse side, and for decades, they have depicted Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse. In 2023 the Royal Mint will, exceptionally, have a double strike in honor of the former Queen, who passed away in 2022, and welcome King Charles III with his first official portrait.
An essential characteristic of the Britannia Series is the various savvy technological features used on the coin's reverse side against counterfeiting to ensure the piece's authenticity. Security has always been one of the top priorities within the Royal Mint.
Perth Lunar Series III
The debut of a one-troy-ounce platinum coin into the successful Lunar Series from the Perth Mint only happened in 2020, through the third cycle of the series. As the moniker suggests, each annual strike features one of the twelve Astrological Animals from the Chinese Lunar Calendar. The Mint uses the exact image of the animal to stamp the yearly strike, so the diversity lies only in the metal content variation but not in the design.
FAQs
What are the advantages of investing in platinum bullion coins compared to bars?
Coins offer semi-numismatic value. Rarity, condition, and art add some value to the pieces, especially for coin collectors. Unlike platinum bars, which usually follow traditional aesthetics corresponding to bullion ingots. Platinum bullion coins tend to have lower prices compared to their proof counterparts. Proof coins demand more initial costs to ensure the kind of polishment and high relief effects. Therefore, they tend to cost more than bullion coins.
Is it better to buy gold or platinum coins?
Investing in a bullion coin is a wise decision. Gold and Platinum are precious metals, and their prices depend on the bullion spot price. According to their characteristics, Gold is softer, and its coins can be easily affected by wear and tear if not carefully handled. Platinum is a little denser than gold, more robust, corrosion-resistant, and durable, making the platinum one platinum less likely to break and less vulnerable to eventual scratches.
Are platinum coins a good buy at current prices?
Yes, bullion coins may be an attractive choice for investors, especially those who desire to diversify their assets by including precious metals in their investment portfolios. As bullion prices have performed well over the last crisis, the demand for precious metals has increased, and mints worldwide have offered several options of varied metal content. Platinum bars, rounds, and coins in several sizes and designs are available to meet their best interest.
What is the best platinum coin to buy?
The most traditional mints in the world have produced high-quality platinum coins in several sizes. The usual coin size in the bullion market is the classic 1 oz one. The most popular among them is the American Platinum Eagle. They contain 1 oz of .9995 fine platinum and design variation as a distinctive mark. Platinum Eagles are the US official platinum coins, holding monetary denomination and legal tender status fully backed by the US government.
Are platinum coins spendable currency?
Like other precious metal coins produced by government mints, platinum bullion coins are spendable currency. As sovereign coins, they bear a face value and legal tender status guaranteed by their issuer. Therefore, they are real money. However, the denomination stamped on the coin’s face is a secondary aspect. As a bullion coin, platinum ones are worth their weight in platinum, which is usually more worthy than the coin’s denomination.
Are platinum coins acceptable in an IRA?
Platinum bullion coins are IRA-eligible if they are at least 99.95% pure. Generally, the IRS - International Revenue Service - only allows holding precious metals in IRAs - Investment Retirement Accounts if they respect some strict demands. Collectible assets are not permitted. However, nowadays, coins which are not considered collectible according to the IRS parameters are acceptable. The American Eagle Series, for instance, is not seen as a collectible asset, making all Eagles, including Platinum Eagle coins, worth investing in as they are eligible for IRAs.
