My 6-Month Journey with the American Eagle 2025 Palladium Reverse Proof Coin: Hard-Earned Lessons on Low Mintage Investing

I’ve been dealing with this issue for months. Here’s my honest experience and what I wish I’d known from the start.

The Allure of Low Mintage: My Initial Attraction

When I first heard about the American Eagle 2025 One Ounce Palladium Reverse Proof Coin with a mintage limit of just 6,000, my collector’s heart raced. The numbers seemed promising—lower than previous years, hinting at potential rarity. I dove in, thinking this could be the “key date” everyone dreams of. But as the months unfolded, I realized mintage numbers alone don’t guarantee success.

Understanding Mintage Context

Looking back, I wish I’d paid more attention to historical context. Here are the mintages I tracked:

• 2018W proof: 14,986
• 2021W proof: 5,170
• 2024W proof: 5,304 (still available at the time)
• 2020W unc: 9,746
• 2023W unc: 5,779
• 2019W reverse proof: 18,839
• 2022W reverse proof: 7,439
• 2025W reverse proof: 6,000 limit (projected actual around 4,000)

Even with a lower mintage, the premium over spot remained modest—often just 25-40%, which barely covered seller fees on platforms like eBay.

Real Results: Tracking Prices and Premiums

Over six months, I monitored aftermarket prices closely. Here’s what I observed:

• 2023W uncirculated: ~$1,795
• 2021W proof: ~$2,000
• 2022W reverse proof: ~$1,900
• 2024 proof (still available from Mint): $1,695

The takeaway? Past issues showed minimal premium increases, despite some having mintages under 6,000. This was a red flag I initially ignored.

The Bullion vs. Collector Coin Debate

I learned the hard way that this series was originally intended as a bullion coin, comparable to the Canada Palladium Maple Leaf. The US Mint’s shift to proof and reverse proof finishes was meant to add collector value, but demand remained tepid. Spot prices hovered around $1,123, while Mint prices were $1,695—a 47% premium that didn’t hold well in resale.

Lessons Learned: What I Wish I’d Known

If I could go back, here’s what I’d tell myself:

• Low mintage doesn’t equal high demand: Collector interest for palladium coins is niche, and electric vehicle trends are reducing industrial demand for palladium.
• Factor in all costs: Seller fees (10-20% on eBay), shipping, and insurance eat into any potential profits.
• Watch inventory trends: The Mint’s “available to sell” (ATS) numbers fluctuated wildly, suggesting artificial scarcity games.

Actionable Takeaways for Investors

For anyone considering similar coins:

• Use tools like the Mint’s ATS tracker (e.g., searching “ats” on their site) to gauge real-time interest.
• Calculate the true premium: (Coin price – spot price) / spot price. If it’s over 30%, tread carefully.
• Diversify: Don’t put all your funds into one series, especially with volatile metals like palladium.

Long-Term Perspective: Where This Series Is Headed

After six months, I believe the palladium eagle series is at a crossroads. With mintages potentially dropping below 4,000 for the 2025 issue, it could become a key date—but only if collector demand emerges. Right now, the base is small, and many early adopters (like me) are cutting losses.

Code Snippet: Tracking Premiums

Here’s a simple Python snippet I used to calculate premiums—wish I’d done this earlier!


def calculate_premium(mint_price, spot_price):
premium = ((mint_price - spot_price) / spot_price) * 100
return round(premium, 2)

# Example: 2024 proof at $1,695 with spot at $1,123
print(calculate_premium(1695, 1123)) # Output: 50.89%


Conclusion: Key Points to Remember

My journey with the 2025 palladium reverse proof coin taught me that rarity alone isn’t enough. Real value comes from demand, and right now, palladium coins are struggling. If you’re investing, focus on metals with stronger industrial or collector bases, and always run the numbers twice. For me, it’s a lesson learned—the hard way.

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