J-1374 - 1874 Eagle Pattern - 1874 $10 Pattern, NGC PF66 BN. R-6-. Bickford International, R6-.  This unusual 1874 Superb Gem proof eagle pattern is the finest known at NGC and PCGS. It shows an attractive mixture of dark brown and chocolate brown striations which give it the appearance of old wood. The hard, glossy surfaces are completely original and clean with no visible hairlines other distractions. The strike, as expected for a proof coin of this caliber, is absolutely hammered. There are full details on Libertys hair, the sprig above the truncation, the central reverse, and all of the reverse cords.  

The coin, designed by Dana Bickford and William Barber, shows a left facing head of Liberty in profile wearing a LIBERTY inscribed coronet below six stars. The short wavy hair is tightly tied behind her head. Across her neck is an olive sprig with a ribbon attached to it. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is above and the date is below. The reverse shows a continuous cord that divides it into six sections. The one reads DOLLARS 10 in two lines. To the right is STERLING 2.1.1. Next are MARKEN 41.99, KRONEN 37.31, GULDEN 20.73, and FRANCS 51.81. In the center in four lines is the inscription 16.72 GRAMS 900 FINE, and UBIQUE (everywhere). 

In 1867 an international monetary convention was held in Paris. One of its purposes was to establish an international gold coin that would be interchangeable among nations. The next year the United States Mint struck a pattern half eagle in copper and aluminum dated 1868 designed by Anthony C. Paquet. It was denominated 5 DOLLARS as well as 25 FRANCS. There were no other monetary units used because the convention participants had agreed to use the French franc as the basis of the international coinage. Both the United States half eagle and the English sovereign would have to lower their value to accommodate this agreement. At the convention, the British delegate had opposed this result and wanted the United States gold dollar to be the standard. The half eagle would have to be lowered from 129 grains to 124.9 grains to conform to the 25 FRANCS piece. All other gold coinage would have to be changed as well. A bill to make these changes was introduced in Congress and defeated. It was not revived again until 1874.  

Dana Bickford was an entrepreneur who traveled frequently throughout the world. He had difficulty exchanging money from one country to another. Bickford proposed that the Mint produce an international coin that could be easily spent in different countries. He suggested several designs to Henry Linderman, Mint Director. Bickford thought that the metal value given on the reverse of the coin could be evaluated by any foreign bank so the coin could be valued by its intrinsic worth. He also felt that the exchange rates in American dollars, German marks, Swedish kronen, Dutch gulden, and French francs should be plainly stated on the coin, making it easy to process these international transactions. Since exchange rates did not remain constant for very long, these coins would have been obsolete shortly after being issued. 

An article in The Coin and Stamp Journal of Kansas City, Missouri of February 1876 reported the following: Shortly after Mr. Bickford returned from Europe he called on Dr. Henry R. Linderman, the director of the Mint, and submitted to him his design for an international coin. After carefully examining it the director was so impressed with its importance, and the great saving the adoption of such a coin would be to our government, that with his usual foresight and penetration he at once ordered sample coins struck off at the Philadelphia Mint, which proved entirely satisfactory and practical. It is not generally known that the annual expense to our government for recoinage and waste on coin entering this country from abroad is half a million dollars, and the same waste and expense is incurred by foreign governments.

The Bickford International eagle was struck in gold, copper, aluminum, and nickel. The present piece, in copper, is the finest known at NGC in PF66 with none finer. At PCGS the finest are 3 certified in PF65 condition. Here is an opportunity to obtain the finest known specimen that would make an excellent addition to any fine numismatic cabinet.