J-644 - 1868 Dime Pattern, NGC PF66. R7. This Superb Gem Proof pattern 1868 dime is struck in nickel. It comes with the provenance of the Exemplar Collection. The coin exhibits toned, gun-metal gray fields with lustrous, slivery devices that create an almost cameo effect. These colors attest to the coins originality. The surfaces are clean with no visible hairlines. The strike is bold, as expected for a proof coin in this condition, with full details on the shield, the leaves of both wreaths, the star, the central lettering, and the date.

The J-644 pattern 1868 dime was also struck in silver, copper, and aluminum. Although dated 1868, research indicates that these coins were struck in 1863 from a die that was dated 1868 in error. They were originally made to study the feasibility of having a coin to take the place of Postage or Postal Currency bills and are properly called Postage Currency redemptions tokens, now called dimes. Between August 1862 and May 1863, the post office issued paper money in five, ten, twenty-five, and fifty cent denominations. They were valid to use for the purchase of stamps and could be exchanged for United States noted in lots of five dollars.

The obverse shows a small Union shield with crossed arrows pointing upward behind it. A wreath hangs above and to the sides of the shield. The legend at the top is EXCHANGED FOR with U.S. NOTES. below. The reverse shows a cereal wreath made up of wheat, corn, tobacco, sugar cane, and oak. It encloses a large six-pointed star, the denomination written ONE DIME in two lines with the date below the denomination. A bow in a ribbon is used to tie the ends of the wreath together.

James B. Longacre designed the J-644 pattern dime. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1794. When he finished his apprenticeship in Philadelphia as a bookseller and a banknote engraver, he worked on his own as an engraver of book illustrations and bank notes. His works included one on the signers of the Declaration of Independence and another on stage personalities. In 1830, Longacre began a series of biographies of famous men in the military and the political arena.

In 1834 the result of this series became the National Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Americans that was published in four volumes. Longacre and those who worked with him became famous because of this work. In 1844 Longacre came to work at the Mint. He was opposed by Franklin Peale, the Chief Coiner. Peale was probably responsible for some blundered dies that Longacre was criticized for making. Peal was involved in a private, illegal medal manufacturing business using Mint facilities. He was concerned that this new political appointee would interfere with his business, and he resisted Longacres appointment as Chief Engraver. Finally in 1854, Peale was fired by President Franklin Pearce. Longacre flourished in his position and was responsible for creating many new designs including the Indian Head cent, the two-cent piece, the Shield nickel, the Liberty Head gold dollar, the Indian Princess gold dollar, the three-dollar gold piece, and the Liberty Head double eagle. 

The J-644 pattern dime has an R7 Rarity rating. There are 6 pieces known. In its population report, NGC shows 1, the present piece, in PF66 condition with 2 finer. At PCGS the finest known is a PR65 example with none reaching the PR66 level.