(1965) Quarter Pattern - RB-4130, INCO

Coin Details

Description

Experimental clad quarter RB-4130, produced during the second phase of INCO's composition testing for the Washington quarter denomination. The 1965 testing program operated under very different circumstances from the 1964 first phase: by mid-1965, the Coinage Act had been signed into law, the decision to adopt clad coinage was irrevocable, and the Mint was actively preparing for mass production. This context transformed the experimental program from an open-ended exploration of possibilities into a focused validation exercise. RB-4130 was struck at the Medallic Art Company under conditions designed to simulate production striking as closely as possible, testing not only the alloy's suitability for the quarter denomination but also its behavior under the high-speed, high-volume conditions of modern Mint operations. The piece bears John Flanagan's Washington portrait and heraldic eagle, struck with the same level of detail and pressure as a regular quarter. Any differences from a production coin would be detectable only through careful measurement of weight, conductivity, or metallurgical cross-section analysis, underscoring the remarkable success of INCO's clad technology in replicating the appearance of silver coinage.

Rarity Notes

R-7 to R-8. Extremely rare. Provenance to INCO or Treasury Department archives is particularly desirable for establishing authenticity.

Cross References

Research Blank RB-4130 (Gould/INCO experimental series)