 1872 $10.00. Judd 1249 (R-8). Aluminum, RE. Choice Brilliant Proof. The boldest silvery reflective gleam radiates from the meticulously struck Pattern. Close examination finds a few scattered mini-abrasions in the obverse field typical of coins struck in this soft, lightweight metal. Here is a fascinating strike from the dies of the regular issue Gold Eagle, made when Aluminum was still a costly and exotic metal, refined only in tiny quantities at great cost. At least one full set of coins from the Cent to the Double Eagle was struck in Aluminum bearing this date. James P. Kimball's inability to obtain such a set led him to impose ruthless restrictions on the striking and distribution of all Patterns after he took office as Mint Director. Only a single appearance of this Pattern at auction is noted in the 2005 Dannreuther-Garrett auction record of U.S. Patterns and only one appears in the PCGS Population Report at this grade level. PCGS PR63.
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