1871 Standard Silver Dollar Struck In Aluminum Judd-1124, PR-67 Cameo

Heritage Auctions - The obverse is the Indian Princess design of James B. Longacre, in a plain or starless field. His initials J.B.L. appear at the lower right of Liberty's rock, in the field. The date 1871 is below. On the reverse, an open agricultural wreath encloses 1 / DOLLAR, with STANDARD at the top rim. Struck in aluminum with a reeded edge. According to USPatterns.com the aluminum versions (Judd-1124 and 1125) of this Standard Silver dollar pattern are even rarer than the silver versions with plain or reeded edges (Judd-1120 and 1121). In this case, however, the difference is, like for so many of these rare patterns, one of uncertainty. USPatterns.com estimates that "perhaps three or four" examples are known of Judd-1120, with three being our best estimate.

But in the case of Judd-1124, the R.8 ranking of USPatterns.com seems to be the result of its conclusion that there are "at least two known." There is little to no evidence of post-strike contact on this wonderful coin, although some small planchet flaws attest to the Mint's relative unfamiliarity in 1871 with what was still very much an experimental coinage metal. This is the only certified example that numerically grades PR67, although it certainly merits both the Star and Cameo designations that NGC has also awarded it.