1868 Eagle Patterns

About This Coin

The 1868 Eagle Patterns is a United States Gold Eagle from the Reconstruction Era Patterns (1866-1869) series. The obverse features experimental designs exploring post-war coinage concepts, while the reverse displays various experimental designs including nickel and aluminum compositions. Designed by Various Mint engravers. Struck in copper. Produced at the Philadelphia and San Francisco Mints. Reconstruction Era Patterns (1866-1869) reflect the Mint's experimentation in the post-Civil War period. New materials like nickel and aluminum were tested as potential replacements for silver in small denominations, leading to the eventual adoption of copper-nickel for the five-cent coin. These patterns document the Mint's experiments with new alloys and designs during a transformative era in American monetary history.