1868 Experimental Aluminum Proof Set

Who knows anything about the 1868 experimental aluminum proof set and does anyone know if other years were made?

 

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I never heard of it.
Is it yours?
Does it state it made of aluminum?

Read next post...

 

Here is some info. It states only 4 sets were created.. Interesting -
I want to share this webpage with you -
http://news.coinupdate.com/experimental-aluminum-pattern-proof-set-1806/

 

And here is an old CoinTalk thread
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/18...n-proof-set-cent-through-double-eagle.219529/

 

Judd in his book, states that at least 5 were made, 2 with a pattern eagle to be presented to the then director of the mint, Dr. Linderman. ...In the 1950 the former Fewsmith set was still in the original presentation case

 

It is much too expensive area for me to collect, but for anyone with the money and desire, first get the Judd book, United States Pattern . Experimental, and Trial Pieces.

 

Lol...like they would actually make circulating "aluminum" Double Eagles.
Perhaps today, but not in 1868.

 

Here is a thread from the other forum with a member claiming an ownership.
https://forums.collectors.com/discu...t-that-1868-proof-set-in-aluminum-will-go-for

 

Prior to the late 1800s aluminum was a precious metal. It was so expensive that
the czarist Russia government recalled all of their platinum coins and replaced
them with the more expensive aluminum. When the Bessemer process using electricity was developed aluminum prices plummeted due to the easy of mining
this previously precious metal. By 1901 people were still thinking that aluminum was valuable so the encased 1901 indian cents in aluminum were a big hit at the worlds fairs and expositions. If memory serves they were sold for a nickel and were the cheapest souvenir available so they were hauled back to the folks back home. Today they are still the cheapest encased indian cents because so many of them were made and saved.

 

I stand corrected!

 

I remember coming across a story about these a while back - always thought it was a lovely set. Seeing all of the circulating denominations together, coined from one material, really helps one visualize the commonality between our coinage designs.

 

Wow. YOU NEED TO GET THIS SET CERTIFIED. With that kind of rarity, I'd imagine your kids won't need to pay for college

 

To slab this as some have done is an abomination. As stated above four or five were put in presentation cases. Perhaps double that exist. Putting in slabs make it twice as common and worth less than half as much. All for the "glory" of the modern day version of the companies who destroyed countless invaluable sports cards and comic books. Even after all that coins continue to tarnish inside slabs. Try suing them for damaging your coin. Former owners of $75,000 Mickey Mantle rookie cards that are now wood pulp are big fans. Former owners of disintegrating million dollar Superman Number 1 are too. Slab is just a four letter word.

 

That is my personal opinion based on documented facts. Those who love slabs will disagree and that is their right. Even those who trust slabs as being accurate representations of a coin's authenticity and condition will be forced to admit that the counterfeit makers are also making entirely fake slabs to house their fake coins.

 

When the Washington Monument was finished in 1884 the capstone was a 100 oz pyramid of aluminum. It was the largest aluminum object in the world at the time. For several months before the completion it was on display in the show window of Tiffany's, and it drew a good crowd.

I was lucky enough to see one of the Aluminium Proofs sets in its presentation case. Several years later it was stripped out of the case and slabbed. I'm not sure but I believe only one of the sets still exists unmolested.

 

Wish it was, it's just a image I borrowed from @1964dollarpeace from twitter.

 

Why on Earth would anyone have that beautiful set certified into plastic tombs?

 

Hey, don't give the Chinese more ideas than they already have!