Lot 596
1869 Pattern Dime. Copper, reeded edge. NGC graded Proof 66 Brown. Olive toned on the obverse, while the reverse is mostly chocolate brown with some hints of blue iridescence. This unusual pattern combines an undated Seated Liberty obverse with a reverse indicating the ingredients in a new, experimental alloy (90% silver and 1% nickel). That this piece was struck in copper indicates that it was probably made as an "off-metal" piece for collectors, since the whole purpose of this experiment was not to test copper (a metal with which the Mint already had decades of experience), but to test the unusual, new alloy. Probably fewer than a dozen exist. PCGS and NGC combined have graded only four examples of this variety, this being the second best certified example (after the Eliasberg NGC graded Proof-66 Red Brown).
Estimated Value $6,700 - 7,200.
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| Realized $7,763 |
