Jaime Hernandez:
This was the first year that the Platinum Eagle series was produced. The Mint produced four different denominations which are the $10, $25, $50 and the $100 coins in both Mint State and Proof format.
The 1997 $100 coins were sold during September and all the way through December, with sales reaching just over 50,000 coins. Being a first year of issue coin, the 1997 $100 coin had the second highest mintage (only the 1998 $100 coin has a higher mintage).
Despite the large mintage, the 1997 $100 is difficult to find in perfect MS70 grade, since most coins seem to come with minor flaws and imperfections.