1964 Quarter Pattern - RB-1160, INCO

Coin Details

Description

An experimental quarter bearing INCO's RB-1160 alloy designation, part of the 1100-series tested during the 1964 silver crisis. The International Nickel Company's testing program was arguably the most important private-sector contribution to US coinage materials science since the Philadelphia Mint's founding in 1792. By systematically evaluating copper-nickel alloy variations on actual coinage dies, INCO provided the empirical evidence that Treasury officials needed to make a confident recommendation to Congress. The RB-1160 composition represents one of dozens of candidate alloys that were tested, compared, and either advanced or eliminated through this rigorous evaluation process.

Rarity Notes

Extremely rare. Individual INCO test compositions in the 1100-series are known from an estimated one to five surviving examples each.

Cross References

Reed-Brenner RB-1160; NGC census