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About the coins

With the end of the “Vistas of Liberty” series in 2002, the reverse designs on the 2003 Platinum Eagle Proofs return to more traditional coin design for inspiration. For the fourth time since the Platinum Eagle Proof series began, Al Maletsky oversaw the design and sculpting of the reverse image, which made history by being the first United States coin to feature both the Bald Eagle and the nation’s flag on the same coin.

In its most superficial view, Al Maletsky’s 2003 reverse design simply features a Bald Eagle in a vigilant resting position perched on a Rocky Mountain pine branch superimposed over a backdrop of the United States flag. However, serious collectors also know that Maletsky’s simple design marks the first time in history that both the Bald Eagle and the nation’s flag have appeared together on a United States coin. This historic combination of two of the nation’s most enduring patriotic symbols on the same coin makes the 2003 Platinum Eagle Proofs a true rarity in the annals of U.S. coin history.

The standard legends appear very similar to Maletsky’s designs on the 2002 Platinum Proofs with the “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” legend similarly capping the coin in a wide spreading arc across the top and side rims. The legends for fineness “.9995 Platinum” and government guaranteed platinum weight are once again below the coin’s legal tender denomination, arced around the bottom rim. The West Point “W” mint mark is placed about four o’clock along the right rim. For the first time, Maletsky’s initials “AM” appear just below the right edge of the pine branch.

Original Total Mintage Summary:

In 2003, after a one year reversal, the Platinum Eagle Proofs returned back to the declining total mintage trend with only 31,1147 total Proof coins produced. The diminishing total places the 2003 Platinum Eagle Proofs in third place among the rarest coins in the series from 1997-2005. As ever, the $50 Proof coin continues to be the rarest within the issue; this time with only 6,963 total coins minted.

NGC Certified Population Summary:

Additionally, through June 26, 2009, a total of only 179 four coin Platinum Eagle Proof sets from 2003 had been certified by NGC in Proof 70 condition.

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