J-737 - 1869 Quarter Dollar Pattern - J-737 - 1869 25C Pattern, PCGS PF64, R-7+. This attractive 1869 Pattern Quarter is the second finest known at PCGS and the finest known at NGC. The coin shows cameo aluminum surfaces and is found in an OGH (old green holder). The cameo effect is caused by white devices that are set against dark gray fields. These colors indicate the coins originality. The surfaces are clean for the grade with no contact marks that can be seen without the aid of magnification. The strike is strong on the reverse with full details on the wreath and the central numerals.
 
The J-737 aluminum pattern quarter was also struck in silver and copper. Designed by James B. Longacre, its obverse shows a right facing, young profile of Liberty. Her hair is tied in the back and also flows down to her shoulders. She wears a LIBERTY inscribed band with a star on its front. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is above and IN GOD WE TRUST is on a ribbon below. The reverse uses the Standard Silver reverse die. It shows the denomination 25 CENTS on two lines enclosed in an open wreath of laurel and oak. STANDARD SILVER is at the top border and the date is below.
 
The intent of the Standard Silver coinage was to make coins of regular metal alloy that would be lighter and slightly smaller than the previously issued coinage. By using this new design, coinage hoarding, which had become quite prevalent, would be ameliorated. However, the designs were never adopted to replace the regular coinage.
 
Longacre 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 1869 J-737 pattern has an R7+ rarity rating. In its population report, PCGS shows 1, the present coin, certified in PR64 condition with 1 better. The finest known at NGC is a single PR63 piece.