1869
10C (J-714, low R-7) NGC PF-64 - A very interesting
experimental piece and a true pattern as such. As noted
on the reverse, this piece was apparently meant to be
struck in a composition of 90% silver and 10% nickel.
However, according to Judd all known pieces are struck
in a standard copper-nickel alloy of 75% copper and
25% nickel.
No pieces are known in the actual alloy
mentioned on the coin, although Pollock reprints part
of the annual report of Mint director James Pollock.
In this report, James Pollock confirms that actual experiments
were taken with the silver-nickel alloy, but that the
production of the pieces brought up many problems, calling
it a “vain and fruitless trail”. Another
composition, adding copper to the mix was tested as
well, but these pieces had the same striking problems.
As a result, the idea was soon abandoned, and the composition
of choice remained the regular silver-copper composition.
The dies used for the coinage of these
pieces are very simplistic, and were apparently produced
in haste. The so-called obverse is that of a regular
Liberty seated dime of the year, but without date. This
obverse die had previously been used a few years earlier
for some other patterns. The reverse has the composition
that was tested, listed as SIL. 9 / NIC. 1 and the date
is underneath below a horizontal line.
The present piece is a coin that lends
itself perfectly for metallurgical analysis. If it was
found to be in the actual alloy of Silver and Nickel,
a new Judd number would be awarded to it and it could
be unique. It is also a very nice pattern as well, with
just a few blemishes keeping it out of a gem holder.
Mirrored fields are seen under the toned fields, giving
the coin an exceptional nice look. |
