1874 International Ten-Dollar

HBCC#:

6117

Breen#:

n/a

BD#:

n/a

Judd#:

1376

Pollock#:

1521

Several international monetary conferences have been held, with proposals for international coinage systems developed and abandoned over the years. Dana Bickford’s proposal was just one of these concepts. He approached Mint Director Henry Linderman, who had samples produced. The term UBIQUE on the reverse refers to the concept that these coins would be accepted in all nations. Dana Bickford was responsible for the entire proposal, including determination of the exchange rate, and even the design of these coins. Today, survivors are quite rare. Just two examples of this variety in aluminum are known.

Provenance:

From RARCOA's sale of the Harry X Boosel Collection, April 1972, Lot 1146.

Obverse:

Head of Liberty to left, coronet in her hair, LIBERTY on coronet, six stars on top of coronet, hair tied back, olive branch and ribbon at her neck, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA arcs above, date below head.

Reverse:

Six interlocked rope-like or beaded cartouches read DOLLARS 10; STERLING £2.1.1; MARKEN 41.99; KRONEN 37.31; GULDEN 20.73; and FRANCS 51.81, when read clockwise, 16.72 GRAMS 900 FINE UBIQUE on four lines at the center.

Commentary: