(1977-78) Dollar Pattern - RB-1400, GOULD

Coin Details

Description

Reed-Brenner 1400 opens the third major alloy family in the Gould dollar pattern series. The jump from the RB-1300 range to RB-1400 signals a new compositional starting point, distinct from the alloy families represented by the RB-1000 and RB-1300 groups. Unlike those earlier groups, which include tightly spaced fine-resolution clusters, RB-1400 stands alone in its immediate numeric vicinity — the next entry is RB-1450, followed by RB-1500 and the RB-1500 sub-cluster. This isolation indicates that RB-1400 may represent a preliminary test of a new alloy concept that was then developed further in the RB-1450-1515 range. The Mint's evaluation of each experimental alloy involved both laboratory testing and practical striking trials, with the Philadelphia Mint's engraving department preparing dies and the coining department operating presses under controlled conditions that simulated production-scale manufacturing. The results were compiled into comparative analyses that Mint Director Stella Hackel and her staff used to inform the final composition decision.

Rarity Notes

R-7 to R-8. Very rare. No NGC census image available.

Cross References

Reed-Brenner RB-1400; Gould Inc. experimental program; opening entry in the RB-1400 alloy family; cf. RB-1450 through RB-1515 (developed compositions in this family)