Platinum Bullion from BullionMax
Platinum was first encountered by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century during their explorations in South America. However, it wasn’t until the 18th century that platinum was recognized as a distinct element by European scientists. Antonio de Ulloa, a Spanish explorer, is often credited with its discovery in the 1730s. The name “platinum” is derived from the Spanish word “platina,” meaning “little silver,” due to its silver-white color.
Platinum’s Modern Uses
Platinum’s remarkable properties, such as its resistance to corrosion, high melting point, and catalytic abilities, led to its adoption in various industrial applications. These include catalytic converters in automobiles, jewelry making, electronics, and chemical processing. While platinum has been a popular precious metal for investors, coins and bars are far from its only uses. Other common uses in the modern era include:
- Automotive Industry: Platinum is a crucial component in catalytic converters, where it helps to convert harmful emissions from vehicles into less harmful substances.
- Jewelry: Platinum’s rarity, durability, and lustrous appearance make it highly sought after for crafting fine jewelry, particularly engagement and wedding rings.
- Electronics: Platinum is utilized in various electronic devices, particularly in the production of hard disks, thermocouples, and electrodes.
- Chemical Industry: Platinum serves as a catalyst in numerous chemical processes, including the production of fertilizers, nitric acid, and synthetic materials.
Platinum’s Availability
Platinum is considered one of the rarest elements on Earth. It is estimated that the annual global production of platinum is only a fraction of that of gold and silver. Most of the world’s platinum reserves are concentrated in South Africa, with smaller deposits found in Russia, North America, and other regions.
Popular Platinum Coins
Starting in the 1980s, platinum bullion coins emerged as an option for those investing in precious metals. Through the 1980s and into the early 2000s, the number of coins slowly expanded to include:
- American Platinum Eagle: Introduced by the United States Mint in 1997, the American Platinum Eagle is available in various denominations and designs, featuring iconic American symbols.
- Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf: Issued by the Royal Canadian Mint, the Platinum Maple Leaf features the iconic maple leaf design and is available in various sizes and purities.
- Australian Platinum Kangaroo: Produced by the Perth Mint, the Platinum Kangaroo series features the iconic Australian kangaroo design and is available in different weights.
However, more than a decade of decreasing demand pushed platinum’s spot price lower. The result was renewed interest in affordable platinum coins, and mints took advantage by introducing a wave of new coins introduced in the late 2010s and into the 2020s. These included the following:
- Australia, pioneering the annual production of 1 oz platinum coins for investors since 1987, introduced the Australian Platinum Platypus coin series in 2011. This series pays homage to the unique platypus, native solely to eastern Australia, a species historically hunted for its fur but now protected against poaching. Remarkably, the platypus stands out as one of the few venomous mammals, with males possessing a spur on their hind foot delivering a painful, though non-lethal, venom.
- In 2016, the Austrian Mint made a significant stride by introducing the Austrian Platinum Philharmonic Coin, marking its inaugural venture into platinum bullion coins throughout its 800-year history. Depicting a variety of musical instruments used by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, including cellos, violins, a harp, Vienna horn, and a bassoon, the coin’s reverse presents a cornucopia of musical richness. The obverse, featuring the Great Pipe Organ found within Vienna’s Golden Concert Hall, known as the Musikverein, was designed by Austrian Mint Chief Engraver Thomas Pesendorfer, who also crafted the original gold release’s design in 1989.
- The Somalian Elephant Series, managed by the Bavarian State Mint, expanded its offerings in 2016 to include platinum coins, enhancing the program’s diversity. Originating in 1999 as a Zambia issue before transitioning to a Somalian series in 2004, the coins were initially available in silver and gold. Now featuring a .9995 pure platinum option, the Somalian Platinum Elephant underscores the precious metal’s significance in bullion and proof coin programs.
- Expanding upon its debut in 2016 with the Lion of England design on gold and silver coins, the Queen’s Beast Series added a platinum coin option in 2017. Commencing with the Lion of England motif, the series marks a significant milestone for the Royal Mint, as it introduced the first 2 oz bullion silver coin ever produced by the Mint. The British Platinum Queen’s Beast Lion Coin provides collectors with another captivating addition to this esteemed collection.
Popular Platinum Bars
In addition to platinum coins, you’ll find platinum bars available at BullionMax that offer more variety for investors. Examples of popular collections include:
- PAMP Suisse Platinum Bars: Produced by the renowned Swiss refinery PAMP Suisse, these bars are available in various sizes and designs, featuring the PAMP logo and unique serial numbers.
- Credit Suisse Platinum Bars: Another prestigious Swiss refinery, Credit Suisse, offers platinum bars in different sizes, featuring the company logo, weight, and purity.
- Valcambi Platinum Bars: Valcambi Suisse is known for its high-quality platinum bars, which come in various sizes and designs, featuring the Valcambi logo and assay information.
- Johnson Matthey Platinum Bars: Johnson Matthey, a prominent British chemical company, produces platinum bars in different sizes, featuring the company logo, weight, and purity.
- Engelhard Platinum Bars: Engelhard Corporation, a former American precious metals company, produced platinum bars with various designs and sizes, which are now highly sought after by collectors.
Buy Platinum at BullionMax
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