Judd-1386; R-8. Regular die trial piece in Aluminum. Reeded Edge.

In 1874, a very limited number of die trial pieces of gold issues were coined in Aluminum (as well as in Copper) as part of runs of complete off metal sets sold to collectors. It is not known exactly how many were made but it is believed that just two of the Aluminum Proof quarter eagles exist today. As rare as the regular issue Proof quarter eagles dated 1874 are (only 20 were struck) its Aluminum counterpart is far, far rarer.

This fresh-t0-the-market example is bright and reflective with none of the striking problems that this metal is prone to show. There are a few scrapes in the left obverse field and a few shallow marks in the right obverse field (as made?) while the reverse is very choice. There is strong contrast noted between the frosted devices and the reflective fields.

There are no auctions records which I can locate for this issue. To the best of my knowledge, the only two known are this coin (which was also graded PR64 Ultra Cameo by NGC and which hasn’t yet been removed from NGC Census) and a single NGC PR66 Ultra Cameo (which I am assuming is in the Simpson collection).

If you can find a regular issue 1874 quarter eagle graded PR65 CAM, you are looking at spending in excess of $20,000. For this price, you get a great coin but one of as many as 10 known. For the same price, you can purchase this aluminum pattern which is one of just two known.

CAC has approved just this one coin in all grades.

sold