Oak-Themed Platinum Proof Coins

The United States Mint announced last month that it is launching a new five-year Platinum Proof Coin Program series starting in 2021 and continuing through 2025. The series uses the lifecycle of the oak tree from seedling to a mighty oak as a metaphor for the United States’ growth as a nation that values freedom. As stated in the Mint’s announcement: “Liberty grows to a thing of strength and beauty from a seed—the US Bill of Rights.”

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution Platinum Proof Coin Program will reflect the five freedoms enumerated in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution—that is: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

All obverse designs in this series were created by Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Designer Donna Weaver and engraved by Chief Engraver Joseph Menna. Each design—one for each year—depicts a moment in the life of an oak that illustrates one of the freedoms referred to in the inscription that surrounds the image. 

More information is available on the United States Mint website, where you can also purchase the coins. The first in the series, the 2021 Freedom of Religion coin, went on sale on February 4, 2021. The nominal value of each coin is USD 100, but the cost of buying one is a little more. Be prepared for sticker shock: after all, platinum doesn’t grow on trees!