1870 Proof Double Eagle Pattern - J-1040

Coin Details

Description

Closing the 1870 Standard Silver pattern program with its rarest and most challenging striking, J-1040 is a nickel impression from the regular double eagle dies. Striking a 34mm coin in pure nickel required extraordinary press pressure, as the metal's hardness far exceeded that of gold, copper, or aluminum. The dies, tempered and prepared for gold's cooperative malleability, were pushed to their absolute limit to produce this piece. Believed unique, J-1040 stands as the ultimate expression of the 1870 pattern program's exhaustive approach: even the largest gold denomination was tested in the hardest available metal, leaving no combination unexplored in Linderman's comprehensive coinage investigation.

Rarity Notes

R-8. Unique or nearly so, approximately 1-2 examples known.

Cross References

Judd-1040, Pollock-1175