1870 Proof Quarter Eagle Pattern - J-1026

Coin Details

Description

Leading the quarter eagle pattern group, J-1026 was struck in copper from the regular 1870 quarter eagle dies featuring the Coronet Liberty Head obverse and heraldic eagle reverse. Gold denomination patterns from 1870 were produced in extremely limited numbers, as the Mint's experimental focus centered on the silver and base-metal denominations central to Linderman's Standard Silver proposal. Copper strikings of gold coin dies served primarily as collectible curiosities for numismatists rather than as serious metallurgical experiments, though they do document how the quarter eagle's delicate engraving translated into softer metals.

Rarity Notes

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

Cross References

Judd-1026, Pollock-1161