A little fun for Peace and Ike dollar fans
Transcript excerpts from the Mint archives.
"November 4,1969
6 (six) dollar-size trial strikes sent to Philip Neisser of the Mint Bureau. These were for use in conjunction with proposed legislation affecting a dollar coin.
(Does not specify design.)
January 12, 1970
Trial strikes were made using Philippine one peso obverse and reverse hubs.
February 10, 1970
To: John F. Brekle, Officer in Charge. U.S. Assay Office, San Francisco
From: Frederick W. Tate, acting director
OK to use Panamanian dollar dies for test.
February 19, 1970
To: Nicholas G. Thedore, Superintendent, Philadelphia Mint
From: Mary Brooks, director
Re: Experimental Trial Strike. 80/20 silver, copper clad on core of 20/80 silver, copper for one dollar coins.
…in the presence of your Trial Strike committee, you are authorized and requested to blank, anneal, upset and strike ten one dollar coins using U.S. Peace coinage dies.
Two (2) one dollar coins should be transmitted to this office by Mr. Macellaro with a form #601.
[Coins will be returned for destruction after use.]"
Comments
The rumored 1970 trial strike peace dollars. Did they actually strike them?
Awesome. Dcarr?
--Severian the Lame
Are there no records of striking and returning for destruction? Or is the search still in progress...? Cheers, RickO
The entry for Feb 19,1970 sees abundantly clear - 10 Peace dollars were struck in 0.800 fine silver clad. The bracketed note is a summary of a longer procedural statement. I did not see a destruction certificate, but they do not usually have the same date as the production order.
Very similar to the composition of the 40% clad silver halves and dollars, which have an .800 fine front and back and a .209 fine core, the whole thing averaging out to .400 fine.
Great find!
Really fascinating information.
If one were to be found, I am assuming it would be subject to seizure?
It would have been an experimental piece, likely similar to the aluminum Lincoln cents of 1974. Like many experimental and pattern pieces of that era, none were saved and put into the Smithsonian for all to study and enjoy.