1870 Proof Dollar Pattern - J-996

Coin Details

Auction Record

$13,800 V CH PR 10-16-2003 Stack's

Description

Opening the dollar subseries of Mint Director Henry R. Linderman's 1870 Standard Silver program, J-996 features William Barber's Seated Liberty obverse with thirteen stars around the periphery and the date 1870 below, paired with an agricultural wreath reverse enclosing ONE DOLLAR with STANDARD prominently displayed above. Struck in silver with a reeded edge, this pattern demonstrated how the familiar dollar denomination would appear under the proposed standard silver alloy. The reverse inscription STANDARD served as an explicit declaration of the coin's experimental purpose, distinguishing it from the regular-issue Seated Liberty dollar produced the same year.

Rarity Notes

R-7. Extremely rare, estimated 4-12 examples known.

Cross References

Judd-996, Pollock-1127