1880 Proof Dollar Pattern - J-1653

Coin Details

Auction Record

$17,250 PR67 02-06-2000 Goldberg Auctioneers

Description

The aluminum striking of the modified Barber Liberty goloid metric dollar, completing the third trio of 1880 dollar patterns. In aluminum, this coin weighs barely two grams — a dramatic departure from the 14-gram goloid target weight inscribed on its reverse. The piece exemplifies the Mint's thoroughness in testing every design across all available compositions, even as the goloid program's political support had essentially collapsed. Mint Director Horatio Burchard, who had replaced Henry Linderman in 1879, showed considerably less enthusiasm for the goloid concept than his predecessor, and the 1880 strikings were produced more from institutional momentum than from any realistic expectation of adoption. Nevertheless, these aluminum patterns have become prized numismatic treasures, their extreme rarity and unusual composition making them focal points for advanced pattern collections.

Rarity Notes

R-7 to R-8. Fewer than 7 examples are believed known. Among the scarcest individual varieties in the entire 1880 dollar pattern series.

Cross References

Judd J-1653, Pollock P-1853