(1977-78) Dollar Pattern - RB-1060, GOULD

Coin Details

Description

Reed-Brenner 1060 is a Gould Inc. dollar-sized experimental pattern completing the trio of closely spaced compositions with RB-1050 and RB-1055. The three alloys together represent a focused area of Gould's research, bracketing what the company's metallurgists considered an optimal composition for the small dollar application. After the experimental testing was complete, the Mint evaluated all submissions from Gould, the International Nickel Company (INCO), and other participants before ultimately selecting a copper-nickel clad composition for the Susan B. Anthony dollar that was similar to the existing clad coinage used for dimes and quarters since 1965. The decision to use a familiar clad composition, rather than one of the specialized alloys proposed by external firms, was driven partly by production economics — the Mint already had extensive experience manufacturing clad coinage and could produce the new dollar on existing equipment without retooling. The Gould experimental pieces thus represent roads not taken in American coinage metallurgy.

Rarity Notes

R-7. Very rare. NGC census records an image for this piece, confirming at least one certified example exists.

Cross References

Reed-Brenner RB-1060; Gould Inc. experimental program; cf. RB-1050/RB-1055 (closely related alloy variants)