BOOK REVIEW: AMERICAN GOLD AND PLATINUM EAGLES

Whitman Publishing, LLC has published another in-depth and behind-the-scenes book that covers American Gold and Platinum Eagles: a Guide to the U.S. Bullion Coin Programs, and is authored by retired director of the United States Mint, Edmund C. Moy. American Gold Eagle bullion coins have been produced by the United States Mint since 1986. Production of American Platinum Eagle bullion coins began in 1997. Both of these coins are extremely popular with collectors and investors. Moy was director of the U.S. mint from 2006 until 2011 and shares his unique insight and perspective on these highly collectible coins.

Moy directed the Mint during a turbulent period of unprecedented growth. Sales of silver, gold and platinum skyrocketed during the "Crash of 2008" and the "Great Recession" that followed. He begins the book by taking you on a pictorial and descriptive tour of his tenure at the Mint. A personal touch is added to the book with private pictures that includes his family members as well as Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson. He also recollected details of staff meetings and cabinet meetings that he attended.

The second chapter of the book begins with a primer on investing in bullion coins. To truly understand what one is getting into with bullion coins, they must understand some of the history that has gone before them. This chapter covers everything from ancient coins through modern investment vehicles such as allocated and unallocated holdings. One of the most fascinating sections in this book is What Are the Forces Driving the Price of Gold? This behind-the-scenes look into the Mint's research into predicting the price of gold will make this book one of the most valuable items in your numismatic library.

Moy also brings together a variety of elements that are artistic as well as technical, some steeped in history and others driven by the latest news headlines. Collectors as well as investors will find great value in purchasing this book. "Just counting the 1-ounce American Gold Eagles, collectors and investors have purchased more than 15 million coins since 1986," said Whitman publisher Dennis Tucker. "Add to that millions of the smaller fractional-ounce gold coins, and the Mint's Proofs and other collector formats, plus the platinum series with its historical designs, and you have more than 42.5 million coins sold. American Gold and Platinum Eagles is the world's first book length study of these popular coins."

The meat of the book begins in Chapter 5 - Year-By-Year Study of American Gold and Platinum Eagles. Beginning with 1986 and ending in 2013, a detailed analysis of each year is presented. The background and historical events that happened in that year are followed by a coin commentary that brings out specific events and situations that impacted production of gold and platinum bullion coins that year.

Finally, for each type of coin, estimated values, specifications and mintage data are given. Several appendices in the back of the book contained information such as: Summary tables of American Gold and Platinum Eagle mintages, general information on the Silver and Palladium Bullion Programs, American Buffalo and First Spouse Gold Bullion Coins, the 2009 Ultra High Relief Gold Coin, background information on the designer of the Gold American Eagle reverse, and an illustrated catalogue of coins produced during the tenure of Edmund C. Moy.

Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: Whitman Publishing (December 3, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0794839738
ISBN-13: 978-0794839734
Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.7 inches

To read the complete article, see: Book Review: American Gold and Platinum Eagles (coins.about.com/od/Coin-Books-And-Publications/fl/Book-Review-American-Gold-and-Platinum-Eagles.htm)

Wayne Homren, Editor

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