1884 Proof Eagle Pattern - J-1737

Coin Details

Auction Record

$52,900 PR65 06-20-2007 Stack's

Description

A copper impression of the 1884 Liberty Head eagle, J-1737 carries the ten-dollar gold coin design that had been in continuous production since Christian Gobrecht's original 1838 Liberty Head. By 1884, the eagle denomination represented the middle tier of American gold coinage, positioned between the smaller quarter eagle and half eagle below and the massive double eagle above. Copper strikings of eagle dies were produced in extremely limited quantities for each vintage year, serving as die trials and collector specimens. The eagle denomination would undergo a dramatic transformation in 1907 when Augustus Saint-Gaudens created his celebrated Indian Head design, but in 1884 the Longacre-Gobrecht Liberty Head remained the standard. Charles Barber maintained the established design framework while applying the precise die-cutting techniques that characterized his tenure as Chief Engraver. The copper planchet used for J-1737 reveals die details with particular clarity, as copper's malleability allows it to flow fully into the deepest recesses of the die, capturing fine details that may not be as sharply rendered on harder gold planchets.

Rarity Notes

R-7 to R-8 (Extremely Rare). Approximately 3-6 examples estimated. Copper eagle patterns are rare in any year of the Design Reform era.

Cross References

Judd J-1737, Pollock P-1948