1869 10C J-717, RD PR(PCGS#80943)

August 2011 Chicago ANA World's Fair of Money Auction

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

9032

Grade

PR64

Price

4,888

Lot Description

1869 Pattern Seated Liberty Dime. Judd-717, Pollock-797. Rarity-7-. Proof-64 RD (PCGS). The obverse is similar to the regular issue, but without the date at the base of the obverse. The reverse has SIL. NIC. COP. in large letters, with the date below, in a smaller font, and slightly curved. Struck in copper with a reeded edge. The reeding on this coin is different than the reeding on the Judd-715 as well as the other coins using this obverse and a different reverse. The purpose of the patterns with this obverse/reverse was experimental, to test this specific alloy. The 26% silver, 33% nickel, and 41% copper mixture formed an unacceptable alloy, primarily because silver and nickel are incompatible. The coin has bright, fiery-red surfaces that reflect a mostly copper composition. However, at the center of the obverse and reverse, there is an irregular splash of silver color, probably from either silver or nickel alloy that did not mix properly with the copper. Deep reflectivity shows in the fields and there are no identifiers other that a little carbon flecking on the obverse visible at certain light angles. Rare as a full Red example, this is the only example certified by PCGS.