1869 Ten Cents

HBCC#:

6077

Breen#:

n/a

BD#:

n/a

Judd#:

716

Pollock#:

795

This is an experimental piece that was created to test the properties of “Koulz’s Alloy” for coinage. Koulz was a German chemist who advocated his special alloy for coinage of our silver denominations. This alloy was a combination of 26% silver, 41% copper, and 33% nickel. Mint Director James Pollock discussed this alloy at length in his Annual Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1869. He was very critical of the alloy, explaining all the problems encountered. In short, he summarized his position by stating “In short, nothing could be more unfit for coinage.”

Provenance:

From Bowers and Ruddy's sale of the Garrett Collection, Part II, sold for The Johns Hopkins University, March 1980, Lot 1021.

Obverse:

Regular-issue die of the type but without date.

Reverse:

SIL. NIC. COP. in three lines above an exergual line, 1869 below the line.

Commentary: