Educational pattern post nr. 1: Including a pattern in a regular series collection
Dennis88
Posts: 5,797 ✭✭✭
Educational pattern post nr. 1: Including a pattern in a regular series collection
-------------------------
Building a specialised collection of us patterns can be a satisfying thing to do, but it can also be very expensive. Most collectors usely stay away of patterns, because they think all are very expensive.
That might be the case with some patterns from certain periods (aka pre-1836, or after 1900), but there are certainly a lot of patterns a collector of a regular series can choose from to go along with their (specialised) collection of a series.
In this first educational pattern post, I will give some idea’s of patterns for collectors of a regular series. All the pictures are from Uspatterns.com. The sources also include the Judd book (8th edition 2003), the Pollock book (1994 edition) and the Red book (58th edition 2005).
LARGE CENTS
Like previously said, patterns and off metal strikes are very rare and expensive for the period before 1836. This will scare of most Large Cent collectors, as the most important part of their collection will most of the time be the period BEFORE 1836.
A pattern from this “series”, which is suitable to be included in a large cent collection, must be dated 1854. There was a large cent struck in 1868 in both Nickel and Copper (J610/P675 and J611/P676) as fantasy pieces. The Judd book states that “The copper striking is one of America’s great postdated rarities, made after the regular series ended”. This is certainly the case, as both nickel and copper impressions have a low rarity rating of Low R7 in de Judd book, which means that there are between 7 and 12 examples known.
Now a collectable pattern for non-specialised (pattern) collectors. These can also be included in a small cent collection, but I decided to put them here because the size and design more closely resembles the then struck large cents.
J-160/P-187: The Pollock book doesn’t distinguish Copper and Bronze strikings, and it’s your choice which variety you will include.
This pattern was struck in a smaller diameter then the current circulating large cents, but larger then the adopted small cent from 1857. Both the copper and bronze examples are R4, which means that there are between 76 and 200 examples known. This pattern could be included in a collector’s collection who would like a pattern in his/her collection, but also wants that the pattern closely resembles the circulating series. A nice PF-63(BN) can be head for about $1500-$1600.
INDIAN HEAD CENTS
This is the series which is a dream for specialised pattern collectors. Almost everything does exist, including “errors” on quarter eagle planchets. (which are for some reason included in the Pollock book for the 1900 date, P-1990)
There are so many possibilities for a specialised collector who wants to include one or two patterns in their “regular issue” collection. I will opt for two, the most common, but also two patterns who are very popular, and have a lot of history.
First J-228/P-272, the famous transitional issue. It has the design of the 1860 and later issues, but is dated 1859. Some numismatists, including Q. David Bowers consider this a real issue. I think this certainly is not the case. Would it be accepted as a regular issue, it would be the same mistake as the 1856 Flying Eagle cent and the 1879 and 1880 Gold Stellas ($4 pieces). Because these are included in the Red book, collectors consider them regular issues which has driven up the price. This can be made clear when you look at the Stellas. An Aluminium example, which is far much rarer than the gold strikings, will cost you less than the examples struck on gold planchets!!!
This pattern will cost you about $1200 in MS-64. A proof example will cost you multiplies of this, as those are probably R6 or R7 instead of R1 for the mint state examples. (Which is in my opinion too low, better would be R2 or even R3. They are scarcer than J-180, the famous 1856 Flying Eagle cent, which is listed as a R2.
J-299/P-359 is another transitional issue. This is a 1863 cent struck from the regular dies, but in bronze. This material was first used in 1864, due to the striking problems the copper-nickel strikings had.
This pattern is a R3, and can be head for about $1100 to $1200 in PF63BN format. Please note that all but one known piece have the dies orientated medal-turn. You won’t find a Red Brown or Red examples in a lifetime, as all were issued with a bronzed finish of chocolate brown hue.
TRADE DOLLARS
Here are plenty of options, but the best would be an example of the 6 piece set struck and sold in
1873, according to the Chapman brother's 1895 Winsor sale, sold in complete silver sets for $30 each.
Offcourse, when you include one example, the best would be to complete the whole set (which will definitely cost you more than $30!!).
The sets were normally struck with a reeded edge, but there are also sets known with a plain edge.
Sets are also known in Copper and Aluminum and 5 of the 6 designs in white metal, all of these scarcer as the normal set in silver with a reeded edge. Ed Cogan's 12/1878 sale mentions that 60 sets were sold.
The normal set consist of the following Judd/Pollock numbers:
-J-1276/P-1418
-J-1281/P-1423
-J-1293/P-1435
-J-1310/P-1453
-J-1315/P-1458
-J-1322/P-1465
This set is easy to get, because all the “normal” coins are R4. Most coins come about 3-5 times per year at auction or in dealers inventories. It might be hard to get nice examples, and as always, be careful by not buying cleaned or in any other ways doctored coins. The complete set will cost you $25,000 and $30,000 in PF-63 quality. One example will come at about $4,500.
---------------------------
As you can see, there are plenty of options. Off course, this is only for 3 series, and there are a lot more possibilities. My first plan would be a short educational post, but as you can see it’s a bit longer than I expected. I hope you liked the post, and there will be more to come soon. Also, a bigger article about this subject might be published later this year, but I’m not sure about this yet.
Comments and suggestions are, as always welcome. You can also send me a PM if you got any personal questions.
Dennis
-------------------------
Building a specialised collection of us patterns can be a satisfying thing to do, but it can also be very expensive. Most collectors usely stay away of patterns, because they think all are very expensive.
That might be the case with some patterns from certain periods (aka pre-1836, or after 1900), but there are certainly a lot of patterns a collector of a regular series can choose from to go along with their (specialised) collection of a series.
In this first educational pattern post, I will give some idea’s of patterns for collectors of a regular series. All the pictures are from Uspatterns.com. The sources also include the Judd book (8th edition 2003), the Pollock book (1994 edition) and the Red book (58th edition 2005).
LARGE CENTS
Like previously said, patterns and off metal strikes are very rare and expensive for the period before 1836. This will scare of most Large Cent collectors, as the most important part of their collection will most of the time be the period BEFORE 1836.
A pattern from this “series”, which is suitable to be included in a large cent collection, must be dated 1854. There was a large cent struck in 1868 in both Nickel and Copper (J610/P675 and J611/P676) as fantasy pieces. The Judd book states that “The copper striking is one of America’s great postdated rarities, made after the regular series ended”. This is certainly the case, as both nickel and copper impressions have a low rarity rating of Low R7 in de Judd book, which means that there are between 7 and 12 examples known.
Now a collectable pattern for non-specialised (pattern) collectors. These can also be included in a small cent collection, but I decided to put them here because the size and design more closely resembles the then struck large cents.
J-160/P-187: The Pollock book doesn’t distinguish Copper and Bronze strikings, and it’s your choice which variety you will include.
This pattern was struck in a smaller diameter then the current circulating large cents, but larger then the adopted small cent from 1857. Both the copper and bronze examples are R4, which means that there are between 76 and 200 examples known. This pattern could be included in a collector’s collection who would like a pattern in his/her collection, but also wants that the pattern closely resembles the circulating series. A nice PF-63(BN) can be head for about $1500-$1600.
INDIAN HEAD CENTS
This is the series which is a dream for specialised pattern collectors. Almost everything does exist, including “errors” on quarter eagle planchets. (which are for some reason included in the Pollock book for the 1900 date, P-1990)
There are so many possibilities for a specialised collector who wants to include one or two patterns in their “regular issue” collection. I will opt for two, the most common, but also two patterns who are very popular, and have a lot of history.
First J-228/P-272, the famous transitional issue. It has the design of the 1860 and later issues, but is dated 1859. Some numismatists, including Q. David Bowers consider this a real issue. I think this certainly is not the case. Would it be accepted as a regular issue, it would be the same mistake as the 1856 Flying Eagle cent and the 1879 and 1880 Gold Stellas ($4 pieces). Because these are included in the Red book, collectors consider them regular issues which has driven up the price. This can be made clear when you look at the Stellas. An Aluminium example, which is far much rarer than the gold strikings, will cost you less than the examples struck on gold planchets!!!
This pattern will cost you about $1200 in MS-64. A proof example will cost you multiplies of this, as those are probably R6 or R7 instead of R1 for the mint state examples. (Which is in my opinion too low, better would be R2 or even R3. They are scarcer than J-180, the famous 1856 Flying Eagle cent, which is listed as a R2.
J-299/P-359 is another transitional issue. This is a 1863 cent struck from the regular dies, but in bronze. This material was first used in 1864, due to the striking problems the copper-nickel strikings had.
This pattern is a R3, and can be head for about $1100 to $1200 in PF63BN format. Please note that all but one known piece have the dies orientated medal-turn. You won’t find a Red Brown or Red examples in a lifetime, as all were issued with a bronzed finish of chocolate brown hue.
TRADE DOLLARS
Here are plenty of options, but the best would be an example of the 6 piece set struck and sold in
1873, according to the Chapman brother's 1895 Winsor sale, sold in complete silver sets for $30 each.
Offcourse, when you include one example, the best would be to complete the whole set (which will definitely cost you more than $30!!).
The sets were normally struck with a reeded edge, but there are also sets known with a plain edge.
Sets are also known in Copper and Aluminum and 5 of the 6 designs in white metal, all of these scarcer as the normal set in silver with a reeded edge. Ed Cogan's 12/1878 sale mentions that 60 sets were sold.
The normal set consist of the following Judd/Pollock numbers:
-J-1276/P-1418
-J-1281/P-1423
-J-1293/P-1435
-J-1310/P-1453
-J-1315/P-1458
-J-1322/P-1465
This set is easy to get, because all the “normal” coins are R4. Most coins come about 3-5 times per year at auction or in dealers inventories. It might be hard to get nice examples, and as always, be careful by not buying cleaned or in any other ways doctored coins. The complete set will cost you $25,000 and $30,000 in PF-63 quality. One example will come at about $4,500.
---------------------------
As you can see, there are plenty of options. Off course, this is only for 3 series, and there are a lot more possibilities. My first plan would be a short educational post, but as you can see it’s a bit longer than I expected. I hope you liked the post, and there will be more to come soon. Also, a bigger article about this subject might be published later this year, but I’m not sure about this yet.
Comments and suggestions are, as always welcome. You can also send me a PM if you got any personal questions.
Dennis
1
Comments
THANKS FOR SHARING DAVID
Like VOC Numismatics on facebook
<< <i>Most collectors usely stay away of patterns, because they think all are very expensive. >>
That's me.
But after reading your post, I'll have to start thinking about adding one or two.
Thanks. Great Post
My posts viewed
since 8/1/6
Mark
Great work, and keep it up!
<---- BTW, my J-161 over here felt left out.
There is another large cent pattern from the 1850s era I once saw a picture of: a Large Cent Flying Eagle. I don't know much about it, but I thought it was interesting. The Flying Eagle Cent was Augustus St. Gaudens' favorite US Coin design - seeing the design on a large planchet made it easy for me to understand why.
>>>My Collection
<< <i>The transitional patterns are very popular. For cents, they include..... >>
I want that J-228
<< <i>my J-161 over here felt left out. >>
I didn't left it out. J-160 (copper) and J-161 (bronze) are both P-187, as Pollock made no difference between the copper and bronze strikings. Because it isn't that obvious for non-specialised pattern collectors, I decided to mention only J-160. If you read the text correctly, you can read I did mention the bronze striking, just forgot the number
<< <i>There is another large cent pattern from the 1850s era I once saw a picture of: a Large Cent Flying Eagle. I don't know much about it, but I thought it was interesting. The Flying Eagle Cent was Augustus St. Gaudens' favorite US Coin design - seeing the design on a large planchet made it easy for me to understand why. >>
Those were struck in 1854 and 1855. I decided to leave them out, as I didn't knew where I should put them in. The size is the same as the large cents, but the design (especially the obverse) more closely resembles the flying eagle cents of 1857 and 1858. Given that, you should also note that these are quite scarce (altough the 1854 Flying Eagle cent in copper, J-163/P-189 is an High R6, and the 1855 Flying Eagle cent in copper, J-167/P-193 or J-172/P-198 is a R5 and Low R6), they still are very scarce (and undervalued IMHO), and probably not that suitable for non-specialised pattern collectors.
J-163/P-189
Like VOC Numismatics on facebook
<< <i>my J-161 over here felt left out.
I didn't left it out. J-160 (copper) and J-161 (bronze) are both P-187, as Pollock made no difference between the copper and bronze strikings. Because it isn't that obvious for non-specialised pattern collectors, I decided to mention only J-160. If you read the text correctly, you can read I did mention the bronze striking, just forgot the number
Actually I was thrilled you did mention it, and was just posting it in appreciation. Sorry
Like VOC Numismatics on facebook
Al
Wow! Just ran across this Trade Dollar and it's a beauty. Collecting pattern Trade Dollars are certainly competitive!
This coin is now in Simpson's collection:
@boiler78 also has a beautiful specimen!
@Zoins....Wow...just truly beautiful coins....never tire of looking at such specimens Cheers, RickO