(1976-78) Token Pattern - RB-3000, GOULD

Coin Details

Description

Reed-Brenner 3000 is a non-denominational token pattern struck by Gould Inc. as part of the experimental small dollar evaluation program. Unlike the unstruck blank planchets of the RB-2000 series, the RB-3000 is a fully struck piece that demonstrates how a Gould alloy composition accepts a design under striking pressure, but employs a generic token-type design rather than any official United States denomination or motif. The use of a non-denominational die was standard practice in experimental programs of this era: it allowed the Mint and its contractors to evaluate striking characteristics, design sharpness, metal flow during striking, and surface finish quality without producing anything that could be mistaken for legal tender or that would require the involvement of official denomination dies. The RB-3000 token bridges the gap between the unstruck blank evaluation stage (RB-2000 series) and the fully denominational dollar-pattern stage (RB-1000 series), providing a controlled intermediate test of the alloy's performance under production conditions. The dime-sized format (indicated by the 10C denomination code in NGC records) indicates the token was struck on a planchet comparable to the RB-2000 blank series. This piece is cataloged separately from both the blanks and the dollar patterns in the Reed-Brenner reference, reflecting its unique role in the evaluation process.

Rarity Notes

R-7 to R-8. Extremely rare as a non-denominational experimental test piece. The token format makes this one of the more unusual entries in the Gould experimental series, with very few examples known in private hands.

Cross References

Reed-Brenner RB-3000; Gould Inc. experimental program; cf. RB-2000/RB-2010 (dime-sized blanks), RB-1000 series (struck dollar patterns)