Wait for platinum Eagle

They might not be part of a Coin and Chronicles set, but there are collectors and bullion buyers waiting for the 2015 platinum coin issues.

Neither the bullion coin nor the proof collector coin had a scheduled release date as summer turned to autumn.

The possibility exists that the collector version will not be offered for sale this year due to inadequate supplies of metal.

With roughly three months to go in the year, platinum buyers still hope the offers can be made soon.

Before a release date can be announced, the Mint has been working on its platinum supply chain.

In 2014 the platinum was provided by Gold Corp.

In 2015, the metal is to come from Sunshine Minting and Sigmund Cohn Corp.

The new suppliers require the Mint to test, review and approve samples. It addition, it needs to assure itself that the suppliers can provide adequate amounts of the metal.

If the green light flashes, collectors will be treated to a proof $100 platinum coin. It will be the first in a two-year Torches of Freedom series.

Price of the one-troy ounce coin at current metal prices would be in the neighborhood of $1,350.

Both collector coin and bullion coin share a design showing the head of the Statue of Liberty on obverse.

The collector reverse has another version of Liberty with a torch while the bullion coin features a flying eagle.

Face value of the one-ounce bullion coin is also $100. This confers legal-tender status on the piece.

In 2014 buyers acquired 16,900 one-ounce bullion coins. Collectors purchased 4,629 proofs.

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