Palladium American Eagle, 1 Oz., .9995 Pure

For the first time ever, the US Mint has added palladium to the American Eagle coin program. Platinum Eagles were added 1997 so it has been 20 years since the program has expanded to include an additional metal. Demand for palladium has risen dramatically in the futures markets, making the metal the best performer among precious metals in the months leading up to this coin's release. That interest promises to translate to strong demand for the metal's official 1 oz coin.

The design is sure to please. The coin obverse features Mercury wearing his iconic winged cap, matching the beloved "mercury" dime. The Roman God is the patron of messengers, financial gain, commerce, poetry, travelers, boundaries, and luck. The reverse features a perched Eagle with an olive branch held in its beak. Both the obverse and reverse are designs created by Adolph Weinman -- one of America's great coin artists.

Palladium American Eagles are minted using .9995 pure metal and weigh 1 troy oz. The US Mint packages the coins in tubes of 10. Full mint boxes contain 100 coins. Each is denominated as $25 US dollars and marked with its metal weight and purity.

The US Mint located in Philadelphia will be responsible for the first mintage of the coins.

Now is a great time to diversify your metals holding with palladium, which has been outperforming. Issues of these coins will be modest in size, and may sell out quickly so move fast to secure the coins you want.