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1870 Proof Quarter Pattern - J-878

Strike Type
1870 Proof Quarter Pattern - J-878

Coin Details

Year
1870
Denomination
Patterns
Mint Mark
P
Strike Type
Proof
Series
Standard Silver Patterns (1870)
Composition
Copper

Auction Record

$4,600 PR66 01-01-2009 Heritage Auctions

Description

Translating the Seated Liberty obverse and STANDARD wreath reverse into copper with a reeded edge, J-878 demonstrates how the proposed quarter design appeared in a base metal whose warm reddish tones contrast sharply with silver's cool gray. Copper strikings served dual purposes in the 1870 pattern program: they provided metallurgical comparison data for evaluating the experimental standard silver alloy, and they created additional collectible varieties for the sets of patterns that the Mint sold to numismatists for $15.00 per denomination set. The copper quarter's substantial 6.22-gram planchet made the color difference particularly dramatic.

Rarity Notes

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

Cross References

Judd-878, Pollock-975

External References

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