History Platinum coin

experimental mule sample manufactured in united kingdom. obverse 1812 pattern 9 pence bank token (s3773a), , reverse farthing of 1825. george iii had died in 1820 , had been succeeded son (george iv) farthing reverse design shown (right).

in late 1820s, british royal mint produced several trial coins part of experiments on use of platinum in coins. 1 of these coins has same diameter farthing , weak relief owing high hardness of platinum. 1812 pattern 9 pence bank token (s3773a) used obverse , farthing of 1825 reverse parts of coin. no dies manufactured these experiments, expired dies of corresponding coins used instead. coins minted using dies 2 different coins called mules. coin bears year of 1825, printed @ later date. test coins, platinum farthing has high historic , numismatic value. coin interesting because features portrait of deceased monarch george iii (1738–1820).

the first , case when platinum coins used regular national currency in russia, coins circulated between 1828 , 1845. these coins proved impractical: platinum resembles many less expensive metals, and, unlike more malleable , ductile silver , gold, difficult work. however, merchants valued platinum coins because did not melt in fires gold or silver. minting of platinum coins resumed after 130 years. between 1977 , 1980, in preparation 1980 summer olympics, soviet union produced 5 commemorative coin sets, , since 1988 commemorative platinum coins issued every year. practice of regularly issuing platinum coins has continued in modern russia, , since 1992 central bank of russia has released 16 sets of platinum coins.

since 1983, other countries have begun regular minting of platinum coins. notable examples platinum cat, , platinum noble isle of man, canadian platinum maple leaf, chinese platinum panda , australian platinum koala. since 1997, hundred-dollar american platinum eagle became notable platinum coin among collectors, named bald eagle depicted on coin.