The 2016 Platinum eagle continues the tradition of being the premier platinum coin in the world, offered in BU condition.  The Platinum Eagles were issued annually from 1997 to 2008, but the Great Recession and sinking platinum prices pushed the Platinum Eagle to the sideline from 2009 to 2013.  When the American Platinum Eagle returned in 2014 it was short-lived as there was no 2015 coin. Since 2016, however, the United States Mint has annually issued the coin to include the 2019 and 2020 coins. The highest mintage year in the programs history was 1998 when 133,002 coins were issued, with the lowest mintage coming in 2007 with just 6,000 coins.

On the obverse of the 2016 – 1 oz American Platinum Eagle coins is the image of the head and face of the Statue of Liberty. Designed by famed US Mint artist-engraver John Mercanti, the design captures the exact appearance of the Statue of Liberty with her face looking out to the east awaiting the chance to welcome newcomers to the United States from the harbor in New York City.

The reverse of the American Platinum Eagle coins continues with the same design of an American bald eagle in flight over the nation. This design was created by Thomas D. Rogers, a former sculptor-engraver with the United States Mint. This design is the only one in the history of the American Platinum Eagle series to have featured on both the bullion and proof versions reverse design field.