(1977-78) Dollar Pattern - RB-1000, GOULD

Coin Details

Description

Reed-Brenner 1000 is the first entry in the Gould Inc. dollar-sized experimental pattern series, struck on a copper-nickel alloy planchet using specially prepared dies at the Philadelphia Mint during 1977-1978. The RB-1000 series represents the culmination of the Gould experimental program: after preliminary screening with unstruck blanks (RB-2000 series) and non-denominational token strikes (RB-3000), the most promising alloy formulations advanced to full-scale testing on dollar-sized planchets with denomination-appropriate dies. Each RB-1xxx number in the Gould catalog identifies a specific alloy composition, with the exact metallurgical formulas documented in Gould's proprietary records and summarized in the Reed-Brenner reference. The dollar patterns were struck at a diameter and weight approximating the proposed small dollar coin, allowing Mint officials to evaluate the complete production chain: planchet preparation, upsetting, striking, ejection, counting, and wrapping. The RB-1000 alloy represents the baseline Gould composition against which subsequent formulations (RB-1005 through RB-1700) were compared. The physical characteristics of each alloy were measured against the Mint's published specifications for the new denomination, with particular attention to vending machine discrimination, resistance to environmental toning, and visual distinctiveness from the quarter dollar.

Rarity Notes

R-7. Very rare. The RB-1000 series dollar patterns survive in small numbers, with most examples grading MS-62 to MS-65. As the first numbered entry in the Gould dollar series, RB-1000 attracts particular attention from advanced pattern collectors.

Cross References

Reed-Brenner RB-1000; Gould Inc. experimental program; cf. RB-1005 through RB-1700 (other Gould dollar alloy compositions); cf. INCO RB-1xxx series (competing International Nickel Company compositions)