Today, Feb. 23, the United States Mint released their 2023-W First Amendment to the United States Constitution Platinum Proof Coin — Freedom of the Press.
This West Point Mint struck $100 proof American Platinum Eagle has a composition of 1 ounce of 99.95% platinum. It marks the third issue from a five year design series dedicated to one of the five freedoms enumerated in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
"This series uses the lifecycle of the oak tree from seedling to a mighty oak as a metaphor for our country’s growth as a Nation that values freedom," the Mint explained in an earlier release. "Liberty grows to a thing of strength and beauty from a seed — our Bill of Rights. Each of the freedoms enumerated in the First Amendment contributes to the growth and development of the Nation."
Released and upcoming designs from the series include:
- 2021 Freedom of Religion
- 2022 Freedom of Speech
- 2023 Freedom of the Press (this release)
- 2024 Freedom to Peaceably Assemble
- 2025 Freedom to Petition the Government for a Redress of Grievances
Proof American Platinum Eagles first appeared in 1997 and have seen multiple theme and design changes throughout their history, including:
- Portrait of Liberty (1997)
- Vistas of Liberty (1998 to 2002)
- Foundations of Democracy (2006 to 2008)
- Preamble to the Constitution (2009 to 2014)
- Torches of Liberty (2015 and 2016)
- a return to the Portrait of Liberty design in 2017 to mark the 20th anniversary of the program
- Preamble to the Declaration of Independence Series (2018 to 2020).
2023 Freedom of the Press Platinum Eagle Obverse Design
Designed by Artistic Infusion Program Designer Donna Weaver and sculpted by United States Mint Chief Engraver Joseph Menna, appearing on the coin’s obverse (heads side) is an image depicting a mature oak tree with acorns. Inscriptions above and below the design read: "WITH FREEDOM OF THE PRESS LIBERTY BEARS FRUIT."
Additional inscriptions include "IN GOD WE TRUST," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," and "2023."
Common Reverse Design
The reverse (tails side) design is the same for all coins of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution series. It depicts an eagle in flight, an olive branch in its talons.
Inscriptions read: "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "$100," "1 OZ.," and ".9995 PLATINUM." In addition, the added ‘W’ mintmark indicates the coin’s production at the U.S. Mint’s facility in West Point, New York.
Artistic Infusion Program Designer Patricia Lucas-Morris created the reverse design and it was sculpted by Medallic Artist Don Everhart.
Coin Specifications of Proof American Platinum Eagles
| Denomination: | $100 |
|---|---|
| Finish: | Proof |
| Composition: | 99.95% Platinum |
| Diameter: | 1.287 inches (32.70 mm) |
| Weight: | 1.0005 troy oz. (31.120 grams) |
| Edge: | Reeded |
| Mint and Mint Mark: | West Point – W |
Ordering, Mintage Limit and Pricing
The 2023-W First Amendment to the United States Constitution Platinum Proof Coin — Freedom of the Press may be ordered directly from the Mint’s catalog of platinum coins.
Initial pricing is $1,545, which is based on the Mint’s precious metal product pricing and LBMA platinum averaging within $950 to $999.99 per ounce.
No household order limits apply. Maximum mintage for the coin has been established at 12,000 — a decrease of 3,000 from last year’s issue which remains available. Each coin from this design series has logged sales so far of under 10,000 units.
In. Out. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
Congrats, REB, and I really like your description of the purchasing process. 🙂
After the first hour, 1101 have sold out of the initial striking of 6200 coins.
This doesn’t look like a hot seller. Speculators will be unhappy.
But, Kia99, isn’t that a pretty good performance for just the first hour?
While I admit that I don’t have rate-of-sale records from all past platinum releases, last year, twice as many sold in the first hour.
I checked at 12:06 PM and the number available was maybe 5,600. I speculated that bulk sales polished off half of the 12,000 mintage. The count is now at 4,131. That means that less than 2,000 have sold in the last five hours on the first day of release. Once the bulk buyers return their excess inventory, this coin may have the lowest mintage since 2017.
I’m never sure if that is a good or a bad thing, REB. On the one hand low sales demonstrate little interest in the coin but on the other hand in the long run it makes for a more scarce commodity, so which is it?
It matters little to me, maybe to my offspring, but not me. I’m merely a slave to the Mint’s precious metal proof offerings. If a design I particularly like results from the purchase, all the better.
My outlook as to the issue of the eventual worth of any PM Proof coin is identical to yours, as in “The future’s not ours to see…” I enjoy collecting for its own sake, especially since I’m too old to worry about the value of coins down the unknowable road.
Thanks, Kia99, for answering my question; I guess these sales aren’t great.
Never knew acorns were fruit.
The whole series is kind of goofy.
Grows = Religion
Blossoms = Speech
Bears Fruit = Press
Spreads = Assembly
Endures = Petition
Indeed REB, the arboreal motif hardly inspires patriotic or nationalistic imagery.
Wow, Kia99 and REB, and here I was just thinking what a great series of well-designed coins this is, one that would even be worthy of a fancy five coin set as a sort of grand finale. As a matter of fact, I think the absence of any martial or national-centric device(s) on any of the coins in this series is not only a rather unexpected but also pleasantly welcome relief from the usual drum beating; it’s extremely heartening to for once see the primary focus and concentration to be on universal positive human values instead.
That’s great Kaiser, it is wonderful to have your different point-of-view. I like trees but to me, Bill of Rights expresses human values better than symbolism from oak trees. Maybe if I were a squirrel I’d see it differently.
Sheesh, Kia, thanks a lot; now my secret is no longer one and my fellow squirrels think it’s very funny that a mere human outed me!
Beauty being strictly in the eyes of the beholder, and the admiration of representational imagery as an adjunct of that, seems to be the watchword here.
Best we check with the squirrels about that specific aspect, Major D.
Years ago they had the Platinum Vistas of Liberty series. 5 coins with the Statue of Liberty on the obverse. I liked them at the time but apparently no one else does. I would have been better off buying the bullion version at the time.
The thing about that, East Coast Guru, is that 20-20 hindsight and a few too many dollars will get you all of a fancy Starbucks hot beverage. Besides, anything can happen and someday those coins may be in demand again.
Yes they are, as they contain the Oak’s seed. I’ll leave them for the squirrels to enjoy (they have a bitter taste) and instead consume more flavourful fruits such as Carolina Reaper peppers.
You are more of a man than I could ever hope to be! I saw an interesting “Nova” show that dealt with the chemical reaction that takes place in the mouth with hot peppers. The peppers aren’t actually hot but chemicals fake the mouth into “thinking” they are. It’s nature’s way of telling animals, “don’t eat me”. Most animals heed the advice. But man may not be as smart as the average bear … or squirrel for that matter.
Carolina Reapers are way above my taste bud tolerance grade, Craig. On the other hand if you want to know the real meaning of bitter try Hawaiian Baby Wood Rose seeds; gagging would be the least of it. However, and this is a back to the late 1960’s footnote, if you soak off the skins and wrap the peeled seeds in a high-flavor food, you’ll discover how powerfully mind-altering ingesting just a few of them can be as they happen to contain naturally occurring lysergic acid.
Knowledge is knowing an acorn is a fruit.
Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.
Funny stuff.
Roger, that is the best answer yet!
Kudos, Roger. I think you are ready to sit at the top of a mountain in wait for the answer-seeking folk from the valley to climb up and partake of your knowledge.
Just sitting on the toilet thinking about this. I think doing this in Platinum is stupid. Im not even in the States, yet I love the American constitution. We don’t have anything like that, indeed the majority of the world doesn’t have a “freedom of speech”. For example, in Australia, we have a “right to protest”, but that doesn’t mean you are free from consequence. The Covid lockdowns and subsequent protests (and arrests) were a disgusting example of the power of the government to repress speech. But I digress. That beautiful constitution of yours affords rights to every citizen and… Read more »
Disagree with your politics but not all things that emanate from a toilet are pleasing or even make sense sometimes. Your idea about First Amendment coins in the common man’s metal is an interesting one. Most (almost all) people have never read the Constitution, whether on the toilet or elsewhere. Perhaps a clad series could illuminate them about their rights AND responsibilities. As for the Second Amendment, most common folk haven’t read that one either. But they shouldn’t feel alone. Based on the Supreme Court’s reading of the amendment in the Heller case and its progeny, it doesn’t appear that… Read more »
REB and Daniel,
I take issue with the Second Amendment because it’s frozen in time. My goodness, this is the 21st Century; chemical propellants for weaponry are the modern equivalent of the horse and buggy. It’s time to revise the 2A to specify railguns.
Do they use these weapons in a “well-regulated militia”?
It’s always been my understanding that the Second Amendment applied specifically to the establishment of the National Guard, so yes.