1874 P$10 Bickford, Gilt Copper, J-1375 PR

1874 Bickford International $10. The idea for this internationally denominated pattern came from Dana Bickford, who, upon his return from a trip abroad, proposed that the United States needed a coin that could be easily converted into the currencies of other nations. Bickford—an entrepreneur who devised many products, including hand-operated knitting machines—believed that travelers needed an easy way to convert money as they traveled from country to country. The back of “Dana Bickford’s International Coin,” as it was called in 1876, bore the weight of the coin (in gold), the fineness (or purity), and the value in six different international currencies. Unfortunately, because of the ever-changing relationship of world currencies, the Bickford pattern proved unworkable and “died on the vine.”

Obverse Description

Liberty head facing left, tiara inscribed LIBERTY and with six stars above. Across the neck is an olive branch with a ribbon at the back. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / 1874 around border

Reverse Description

Inscription giving at the center the details of the coin: 16.72 / GRAMS / 900 FINE / UBIQUE, the last word meaning ubiquitous, or existing everywhere. Around, seven cartouches or areas framed with a cord design, enclosing inscriptions (from top, clockwise) DOLLARS 10; STERLING £2.1.1; MARKEN 41.99; KRONEN 37.31; GULDEN 20.73; FRANCS 51.81.