2009 American Platinum Eagle

The 2009 Platinum Eagle marked the beginning of a six year design series presenting the core concepts of American democracy. The specific themes are those expressed in the Preamble to the United States Constitution, with designs inspired by narratives prepared by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.


"To Form a More Perfect Union" was the theme for the 2009 American Platinum Eagle. The reverse design by Susan Gamble features four faces of diversity with hair and clothing intertwined. An American Eagle privy mark appears within the central area along with the inscription "A More Perfect Union". Around the outer edge of the coin are inscriptions indicating the weight and fineness of the precious metals content, the legal tender face value, and "United States of America".

The obverse contains a "Portrait of Liberty" by John Mercanti, which is an image of the Statue of Liberty. This has been used for each issue of the broader series. Inscriptions include the date, "Liberty", and "In God We Trust". The motto "E Pluribus Unum" appears incuse on Liberty's shoulder.

For this year, the Platinum Eagles were only issued in one ounce proof version, following a reduction of the product line in the previous year. Platinum Eagle bullion coins were not minted.

The 2009 Proof Platinum Eagle was limited to a maximum mintage of 8,000 coins and a five per household ordering limit was imposed. Collectors greeted the new design series enthusiastically and the entire mintage sold out in approximately one week.

Subsequent releases of the design series have had higher maximum mintages, creating the distinct possibility that this coin will have the lowest mintage for the entire Preamble design series.