In 2020 the United States Mint offered another collector version of the American Palladium Eagle this time one with an Uncirculated finish that differed from that of the mint state 2017 bullion coin because it has a more matte than brilliant finish like the bullion coins.
The 2020-W Palladium Eagle (Buy on eBay) was launched on September 24, 2020 for $3,000 per coin with a mintage limit of 10,000 and with a household order limit of one coin.
First day sales were 9,135, and the first three days of sales 9,971, yet by the end of 2020 sales were down to 8,817 with order cancellations. And they were 9,587 by the end of 2021.
The high spot price of palladium, especially in 2021 when it reached as much as $3,000, pushed the price of the coin to about $3,800, which was clearly a deterrent to sales.
The coin has a low maximum mintage going for it, which collectors like, as it is 33% lower than the 2017 and 2018 coins that had mintage of 15,000 coins. But at the same time, the high spot price of palladium, which is the reason the coin has been priced at or close to $3,000 since it was released, as prevented it from reaching a full sellout.
If the U.S. Mint had been able to issue the coin with a surface treatment that was more significantly different than the prior coins in the series, that would have likely helped support stronger sales. One possibility would be an Enhanced Uncirculated version—a finish that has been used before on American Silver Eagles and the special Kennedy Half Dollar for the Apollo 11 program, or a true high relief coin.
2020 Palladium Eagle Specifications:
- Designer: Adolph A. Weinman
- Composition: 99.95% platinum
- Diameter: 34.06 mm (1.34 inches)
- Weight: 31.120 grams (1.005 oz)
- Edge: reeded
- Mint Mark: West Point
2020 Palladium Eagle Mintage:
- Uncirculated: 9,746
Mintage based on U.S. Mint sales figures as of December 19, 2023
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