1964 Quarter Pattern - RB-1030, INCO

Coin Details

Description

This experimental quarter carries the RB-1030 alloy designation from the International Nickel Company's 1964 test program. As one of the leading suppliers of nickel worldwide, INCO had both the metallurgical expertise and commercial motivation to develop the alloy that would replace silver in American coinage. The RB-1030 composition belongs to the first major series of INCO's quarter-denomination test pieces, which explored a range of copper-nickel alloy formulations. Each piece was carefully documented with its precise metallurgical composition, striking pressure, and resulting physical characteristics, creating a comprehensive dataset that Treasury officials used to narrow the field of candidate alloys for the new clad coinage.

Rarity Notes

Extremely rare experimental issue with very few examples known. These were produced for technical evaluation rather than numismatic purposes and entered collector hands primarily through government dispersal.

Cross References

Reed-Brenner RB-1030; NGC census