1870 Proof Cent Pattern - J-789

Coin Details

Description

Among the most intriguing pieces in the 1870 Standard Silver series, this aluminum cent pattern pairs the Indian Head obverse and oak wreath with shield reverse with a metal that was still considered exotic and precious in the early 1870s. Aluminum refining was extraordinarily expensive before the Hall-Heroult electrolytic process of 1886, making the metal rarer than silver at the time of striking. William Barber produced aluminum strikings across multiple denominations in the 1870 series, exploring a futuristic metal whose commercial potential for coinage remained decades away.

Rarity Notes

R-7 to R-8. Very rare, approximately 3-8 examples survive.

Cross References

Judd-789, Pollock-879