(1977-78) Dollar Pattern - RB-1200, GOULD

Coin Details

Description

Reed-Brenner 1200 represents a significant jump in the Gould catalog numbering from the RB-1060 range, indicating a substantially different alloy family. While the RB-1000 through RB-1060 compositions share a common base alloy with incremental adjustments, the leap to RB-1200 indicates a distinct metallurgical approach — a different ratio of copper to nickel, the introduction of a third alloying element, or a fundamentally different layering or cladding structure. The Gould experimental program tested alloys across a wide range of compositions, and the broad gaps in catalog numbers between major groups (1000-1060, 1200, 1335-1370, 1400-1515, 1600, 1700) suggest that the company organized its proposals into families of related alloys, with each family representing a distinct metallurgical strategy for meeting the Mint's requirements. RB-1200 stands alone in its numeric range, indicating it may represent a unique approach that did not require the fine-tuning variations seen in the more tightly numbered groups.

Rarity Notes

R-7 to R-8. Very rare. No NGC census image available, indicating extremely limited certified population.

Cross References

Reed-Brenner RB-1200; Gould Inc. experimental program; an isolated catalog number suggesting a distinct alloy family from the RB-1000-1060 group