1870 Proof Double Eagle Pattern - J-1039
Strike Type
Coin Details
Auction Record
$45,825 PR66+CAM 12-08-2022 Legend Rare Coin Auctions
Description
the most physically paradoxical piece in the entire 1870 pattern program, J-1039 renders the twenty dollar double eagle — the heaviest regular-issue American coin at 33.4 grams in gold — in aluminum. The resulting piece would have weighed approximately 5 grams, less than a silver dime, despite occupying the same 34mm diameter as the gold original. Fewer than half a dozen examples exist, with provenance records connecting surviving specimens to the most distinguished American pattern collections including that of King Farouk of Egypt. The visual contrast between the massive design vocabulary of the double eagle and the featherweight aluminum planchet creates an almost surreal numismatic object.
Rarity Notes
R-8. Very rare, approximately 3 examples known. One example pedigreed to King Farouk collection.
Cross References
Judd-1039, Pollock-1174
External References
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