01/30/2025
While coins are most commonly minted in Gold, Silver, and Platinum, another precious metal is on the rise!
Palladium, a rare and lustrous white metal, was first discovered in 1803 by the English chemist William Hyde Wollaston. However, its use in coinage remained limited for much of history, as gold, silver, and platinum were the preferred precious metals for currency and bullion.
Early Palladium Coins (1960s–1980s)
The first known palladium coins were issued by the Soviet Union in 1966, featuring a portrait of Vladimir Lenin to commemorate his birth centennial. The USSR continued minting palladium coins into the late 1980s, with designs that included Russian landmarks and wildlife. These coins were primarily intended for collectors and investors.
Expanding Global Mintage (1980s–2000s)
In the following decades, other countries also experimented with palladium coinage. Canada, China, France, Portugal, and Australia issued limited-edition palladium coins, primarily as commemorative or bullion pieces. The most well-known among these was Canada’s Palladium Maple Leaf, first introduced in 2005 and produced intermittently.
The United States and the Palladium Eagle (2017–Present)
The United States Mint entered the palladium market relatively late, with the passage of the American Eagle Palladium Bullion Coin Act of 2010. The first American Palladium Eagle was released in 2017, featuring a design inspired by the famous Winged Liberty Head (“Mercury”) dime by Adolph A. Weinman on the obverse, with his 1907 American Institute of Architects Gold Medal reverse design. The U.S. Mint has since issued palladium coins in bullion, proof, reverse proof, and uncirculated finishes in limited quantities.
Palladium Coins Today
Palladium coins remain relatively rare compared to gold and silver issues but are valued by both collectors and investors. Their limited mintage, unique designs, and fluctuating market price make them a distinctive part of the modern bullion industry.
