J-654 - J654 1868 $2.50 NGC PF65 CAM. R-7. Aluminum Pattern. This excellent 1868 $2.50 Aluminum Pattern coin shows frosted devices that contrast with mirrored fields creating a cameo effect. The colors on the coin are white, silver, light grey, and dark grey. A couple of ticks in the fields keep this coin from an even higher grade. As expected for a proof coin, the strike is sharp, and all of the details are readily apparent. While struck in aluminum, the J654 was made from regular proof dies. In 1868 the Mint was experimenting with various metals, especially aluminum. Off-metal strikes were produced from proof dies of different denominations. This was the only time that the Mint kept a record of the special off-metal proof sets that were made.

Christian Gobrechts quarter eagle was produced without substantial modification from 1840 to 1907, the longest span in any United States coinage series. It uses the Coronet design which shows Liberty in profile facing left, her hair tied tightly in beads, except for two curls one down the back of her neck and the other on the side below her ear, with LIBERTY inscribed on the coronet. She is surrounded by thirteen stars, and the date is below the truncation. The reverse shows the heraldic eagle facing left holding arrows and olive branch it its talons. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA arcs around it, interrupted by the wing tips, and the denomination 2 D. is below. The denomination is separated from the legend with dots. The weight remained the same, but the diameter was reduced from the previous issue to 18 millimeters. The coin has dentils near the periphery of both sides and a reeded edge.

The coinage act of 1865 specified that motto IN GOD WE TRUST should be added to all coins large enough to accommodate it. The Mint interpreted this law to mean that the motto had to be added to silver coins larger than the dime and gold half eagles, eagles and double eagles. Because of its size, the quarter eagle was exempt.

Beginning in 1859 a modified reverse design was used on business strike and proof Philadelphia coins. It had smaller letters and arrowheads. Some pieces in 1859, 60, and 61 were struck with the old design after the change was made.

All pattern coins are rare. The 1868 2.50 is rated R-7 which means 7 to 12 pieces are known to exist today. The last time this coin was seen at a public auction was October, 1997. In its population report, NGC shows 2 in PF65 with 1 better. PCGS shows 3, all are PF 64 and lower.