1870 Proof Quarter Pattern - J-877

Coin Details

Auction Record

$9,200 PR67 07-24-2004 David Lawrence RC

Description

Sharing the same Seated Liberty obverse and STANDARD agricultural wreath reverse as J-876, this silver quarter pattern differs only in its plain edge. The distinction between reeded and plain edges was far from trivial in 1870: reeded edges helped the public distinguish silver coins from base-metal counterfeits by feel alone, while plain edges reduced production costs and die wear. Linderman's Standard Silver proposal, which contemplated a lower-fineness silver alloy, made edge treatment a genuine policy question, since the reduced silver content might increase counterfeiting incentives that reeded edges could help mitigate.

Rarity Notes

R-7. Extremely rare, approximately 4-12 examples survive.

Cross References

Judd-877, Pollock-974