Options
Amazing Patterns
Zoins
Posts: 33,900 ✭✭✭✭✭
Patterns are rare and pricey so they don't often come up in discussion.
This thread is for any pattern that you appreciate.
Here are some I've recently ran across that I thought were worth posting:
J-A1915-3 Copper Panama-Pacific PCGS SP65RD pop 1/0 unique
This is a unique 60mm copper hub trial. It was owned by Anthony Swiatek who purchased it from Sol Kaplan, and it was possibly in the Virgil Brand collection earlier. It sold for $99,875.00 in the Swiatek sale at 2015 FUN.
Links:
J-1962/P-2030 Copper Panama-Pacific No-S Half Dollar NGC PR66+* RB CAC pop 1/0
This is Eric's example and is the finest known. It was sold by Heritage in 2013 for $199,750.00.
Known examples include:
- NGC PR66+* RB - Eric Pfeiffer Newman
- NGC PR65 RB - Abe Kosoff, Bob Simpson
- PCGS PR63 BN - Benjamin Maximillian "B. Max" Mehl
Links include:
Tagged:
20
Comments
Splashers and Hub Trials are indexed separately.
The $50 is here:
uspatterns.stores.yahoo.net/p3548.html
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
I placed the only 2 sets know for the Pan Pac 50C-Silver, copper, and gold! I still get asked today about having my customer sell them.
Did they both go to the same client?
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
The J-1609 (Schoolgirl) is my favorite and the J-1590 (Washlady) is my second favorite pattern.
Well @zoins you pretty much nailed the coolest ones that I would like.....lol
Also, that are a few trade dollar atterns that are also stunning
.
CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
.
Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
.
More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC
Very impressive...Items such as these must have been brought out of the mint initially and tightly held ever since then....Cheers, RickO
Nice!
Sure would like to see a pic of the 3 piece set, especially the gold.
Wowzer!
I added a bit more information on the 1915 Copper Pan Pac half in the OP, including other known specimens and links to descriptions Heritage, Newman Numismatic Portal and USPatterns.com. Slowing trying to assemble and link to more information on these great pieces.
No Andy, my longest customer whom I built complete Comment set for including proofs and the Lincoln Pattern has one group-and of course Mr Simpson has the other.
I own the Copper PCGS PR67 RB
Great to know Laura.
Here's some updated info on PCGS MS67RB and MS66RB.
J-1962/P-2030 Copper Panama-Pacific No-S Half Dollar - PCGS PR67 RB pop 1/0 - Woodin-Swiatek-Sperber Specimen
Here's the auction listing for the PCGS PR67 RB from Stack's for now (since you never know how long they will last before Stack's deletes them):
https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-52DZZ
It mentions the following provenance:
Since the provenance mentions Fred Olsen, is this the same coin as the PCGS PR63 Olsen specimen mentioned by Heritage in 2013?
Here's the TrueView:
J-1962/P-2030 Copper Panama-Pacific No-S Half Dollar - PCGS PR66 RB pop 1/1 - Newman-Simpson Specimen
The Newman coin has since been crossed and is now in the Simpson collection as a PCGS PR66 RB non-CAC, previously NGC PR66+* RB CAC. Has Simpson sold off the Kosoff coin?
I have a J208. It is a 1858 IHC. It looks just like the 1859 IHC. I like the patterns that were later adopted into regular coins.
Mr Simpson has not sold any. The coin I own is like a stray out there.
Of note, the J-1962 PCGS PR67 RB and J-A1915-3 where both owned by Sol Kaplan and Anthony Swiatek. Both coins were picked up by Anthony Swiatek at a Shaker-Heights Coin Show in 1971 and held until 2015 FUN, being off the market for 41 years!
At NGC, the Newman coin was on top at NGC PR66+* RB CAC with the Woodin-Swiatek coin second at NGC PR66 RB. Both crossed to PCGS and switched places with the Woodin-Swiatek-Sperber coin coming in at PCGS PR67 RB non-CAC and the Newman-Simpson coin coming in at PCGS PR66 RB non-CAC.
Here is the Heritage listing for the Swiatek sale:
Here's the list of known specimens from that listing:
Zerbe's suggestion that copper piece were made for Secretary McAdoo is, like much of other "stuff" - fantasy...repeated until it has the veneer of truth but none of the substance.
Any thoughts on Virgil Brand possibly owning the Pan Pac octagonal hub trial?
The gold Pan Pac No-S half dollar is interesting, as the PCGS and HA information on this coin seems to have inconsistencies. Minimally, PCGS CoinFacts may be confusing.
HA identifies the Lemus specimen as the Olsen specimen and says that Simpson owned the Brand specimen (twice, in 2009 and 2010). PCGS cert verification and TrueView shows Simpson to own the Lemus collection coin now so it also appears that Simpson has owned both known specimens, the Olsen specimen and the Brand specimen? Or is this due to confusion with this piece?
Here's the information from PCGS CoinFacts. The larger photos are below. Closer inspection shows they appear to be the same coin. Note:
J1960 / P2031 Gold Pan-Pac No-S Half Dollar Olsen-Lemus Specimen NGC PF64 non-CAC
It's useful to refer to this as the Lemus specimen because Heritage has 2 sets of photos that say "LEMUS COLLECTION" on the NGC slab insert.
Here are Heritage's listings for the Olsen specimen:
The census is given as the following. The difference between 2009 and 2010 is that in 2010's description, the Lemus Collection is added, which is interesting since the Lemus provenance is already on the slab in the 2009 auction.
The other interesting thing is that the Brand specimen is listed as being owned by Simpson but PCGS shows the Olsen specimen as pedigreed to Simpson now so both coins have been in the Simson collection. So, it seems at least at one point, Simpson owned each known specimen.
J1960 / P2031 Gold Pan-Pac No-S Half Dollar Brand-Simpson Specimen PCGS PR64 non-CAC
Here are Heritage's listings for the Brand specimen:
The auction is from 2003 so the photos are that great and they are older, however, it appears possible that this coin is different than the Olsen coin from the HA photos. I didn't embed them here because I don't feel like doing Photoshop right now but might do it later. For now, follow the HA link.
PCGS CoinFacts says PCGS 31672697 is the Brand-Simpson specimen, graded PCGS PR64. The TrueView is below.
Differences seem to be:
Mystery
So, if the CoinFacts photos are of the same coin, which coin is it?
If the HA photos are to be believed, did PCGS mistakenly attributed the TrueView of PCGS 31672697 to the Brand specimen when it is actually the Olsen-Lemus specimen?
Or, are the two photos in PCGS CoinFacts supposed to be both of the Olsen-Lemus specimen which has been regraded to PCGS PR64? And that there is supposed to be no photo of the Brand specimen even though the grades would seem to give that impression. In this case, both Olsen and Brand specimens would have found their way to Simpson.
No thoughts about Brand. Are his collection inventories in ANS?
Good information
Thought it was worth listing the Gilt Half Unions as they are certainly some amazing patterns. Here are two with TrueViews, one from Simpson and another from Farouk.
1877 Gilt Half Union - Judd-1549 - Simpson - PCGS PR64 - Pop 1/0
1877 Gilt Half Union - Judd-1549 - Farouk - PCGS PR63 - pop 3/1
Given the 2015 and 2014 Heritage Auctions, provenance, scratch behind the hair bun and discoloration by the first start on the obverse, they appear to be the same coin, indicating that this coin is now NGC PF63+ and no longer a PCGS PR63.
Here's a unique piece that is being offered by Heritage. Wonder if Simpson will pick it up?
(1857) Double Eagle Reverse Die Trial - J-A1857-9, Unique Copper Striking - Garrett - MS64 RB
Anthony Paquet indicates this die trial is unique in a letter to Lewis Hayden dated May 3, 1877:
Heritage indicates it was last sold in the 1980 Garrett Part 2 sale for $9,000. If correct, it means this has been off the market for 38 years. It will be interesting to see where this ends up now.
Heritage image:
CoinFacts image:
Older USPatterns.com image:
There are a couple US Assay Office die impressions on large copper planchets like that.
What is now proved was once only imagined. - William Blake
What is on top of the ribbon on Paquet's double eagle reverse? It looks like an apple or cherry to me.
Just an extra curl to the ribbon.
Ah yes, I see that now. Too bad, I was hoping for something different with a story!
It's a kumquat...being eaten by a small ornamental bunny.
Now if it was a cherry, it would be in the Cherry Picker's Guide!
There are some changes in the pedigrees of the PP coins. Simpson actually let me sell his first set to a commem collecting customer I have. Simpson and I then assembled a second set for hi. So in copper he now has the PR66RB NGC. NONE of his coins have yet to go to CAC. He has owned BOTH gold PP 's. One is now in that commem. Pretty cool stuff!
Thanks for the update. Great to know that Simpson is a seller too. Gives hope to other collectors!
The Paquet 1857 Double Eagle reverse splasher sold for $20,400.00. Wonder who's collection it's in now.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/patterns/-1857-double-eagle-reverse-die-trial-j-a1857-9-unique-ms64-red-and-brown-pcgs-ex-garrett-this-uniface-die-tria/a/1291-4819.s?ic16=ViewItem-BrowseTabs-Inventory-BuyNowFromOwner-MyBids-101116
There's an interesting image taken by PCGS when it was in another holder. Anyone know what holder this was?
A quick terminology consistency check.
The Paquet design piece is a "die trial" in copper; these were also made in tin, lead, bronze, pewter, zinc, solder and other cheap, soft metals. Usually, a die is surface hardened prior to making a die trial to prevent damage.
A "splasher" is made to quickly examine a master hub or master die design during engraving work to make sure changes are as expected; this is done by pressing the cold, soft steel die into a puddle of tin, lead or solder that has been poured on a flat surface. The col die instantly solidifies liquid metal without possible deformation of the steel die.
(For examples of use of soft steel dies to strike patterns see the 1916 dime and quarter, first pieces of May, 1916.)
Awesomely cool
.
CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
.
Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
.
More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC
Thanks for the info Roger. I'll read up on splashers more now!
The Paquet die trial sold for $20,400.00 at FUN. It was fun to have the high bid early on and then see where this ended up. It's still pedigreed only to Garrett.
Flowing Hair Stella in Aluminum
I ran across these today and think they are amazing.
Heritage lists the following known specimens from a 2016 auction. Of note, the second specimen, PCGS PR65 NGC is a gilt aluminum specimen.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/patterns/1880-4-flowing-hair-four-dollar-stella-judd-1659-pollock-1859-high-r7-pr64-cameo-pcgs-cac/a/1238-4437.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515
Roster of 1880 Flowing Hair Aluminum Stellas, Judd-1659
1. PR67 PCGS. Paramount (Rare Coin List #10, 6/1975); Jeff Browning; Dallas Bank Collection (Sotheby's and Stack's, 10/2001), lot 370; Simpson Collection.
2. PR65 NGC. Auction '89 (Superior, 7/1989), lot 874; September Sale (Stack's, 9/2003), lot 704; David Queller; Lemus Collection (Heritage, 1/2009), lot 1938. Gilt aluminum.
3. PR64 Cameo PCGS. FUN Signature Auction (Heritage, 1/2007), lot 1600. The present piece.
4. Gem Proof. Dr. Edward Maris; Maris Collection (H.P. Smith, 6/1886), lot 227; T. Harrison Garrett; Garrett Collection (Stack's, 3/1976), part of a complete set of aluminum stellas in lot 668; Harry W. Bass, Jr.; Harry W. Bass Foundation.
5. Brilliant Uncirculated. Rio Rancho Estate (Superior, 10/1974), lot 138. Gilt aluminum (plate matching confirms this is not the Lemus Collection example in number 2 above).
Additional Appearances It is quite likely that some, and perhaps most, of these other appearances cited in the literature actually represent duplications of the coins above. They include:
A. Two pieces owned by Virgil Brand.
B. King Farouk; Palace Collections of Egypt (Sotheby's, 2/1954), lot 1995.
C. King Farouk; Palace Collections of Egypt (Sotheby's, 2/1954), lot 2025.
D. The William H. Woodin-1914 ANS Exhibition-Waldo Newcomer coin.
E. Lee G. Lahrman Collection (Abe Kosoff, 2/1963), lot 915.
F. August F. Hausske, Central States Auction (RARCOA,5/1969), lot 273.
G. 50th Anniversary Sale (Kagin's, 5/1975), lot 1061.
These are the two listed by CoinFacts:
1880 $4 Flowing Hair $4 Stella in Aluminum (Judd-1659, Pollock-1859) PCGS PR68 Cameo, Simpson
This is pedigreed to Simpson.
This may be the PCGS PR67 specimen mentioned by Heritage in their 2016 ANA description. The PCGS pops list only 2, one in 64 and one in 68. I need to track down a PCGS PR67 photo to compare.
1880 $4 Flowing Hair $4 Stella in Aluminum (Judd-1659, Pollock-1859) PCGS PR64 Cameo CAC
This coin doesn't have a pedigree but was sold by Heritage twice, at 2016 ANA for $76,375.00 and at 2007 FUN for $63,250.00. It had a different cert number in 2007 (10007615) which no longer verifies. Comparison of the 11224592 TrueView and 10007615 Heritage photos show numerous diagnostics indicating they are the same coin.
Here's a related J-1659 gilt aluminum 1880 Stella.
1880 $4 Flowing Hair $4 Stella in Aluminum (Judd-1659 Gilt) PCGS PR64+, Pop 0/1/0, Simpson, Lemus
It looks like the Lemus / Queller Family specimen by comparing photos with the Heritage 2009 FUN auction, and thus not the Rio Rancho Estate specimen. Here's information on the Lemus specimen which was in a NGC slab. It seems like the coin is still certified by NGC as a pop 0/1/0 there.
on the pan pacs-Simspon has a set and so does another customer of mine (copper, silver, and gold). The second collector we built a mega commem set for and includes patetrns and proofs!
pick a pattern, we probably have it in SImspon-so long as it was nice. he "fired" ones he did not like.
It's great that Bob has so many awesome patterns. It's great to run across these and see they have his pedigree. It would be nice if other pedigrees were kept with his. For example, it would be great if the gilt aluminum 1880 Stella said "Lemus, Simpson" instead of just Simpson.
Did any of your clients pick up the Paquet double eagle die trial above? Also, do you know who owns the Pan Pac hub trial in the first post?
a dealer owns the die trial. I can't get to his value for it. he brings it to shows
1907 St Gaudens Indian Head Double Eagle J-1776 PR67
I got interested in reading a bit more about this as it was recently noted that a $15M private treaty offer for this pattern was declined.
The following is from Bowers and Ruddy Galleries who handled the 1981 ANA sale:
An interesting part of this history of this coin is that it was owned by Paramount who seems to have traded it for a hoard of Redfield silver dollars which it then sold in the special holders.
The white background photo below is courtesy of David Akers/Bob Harwell on PCGS CoinFacts. I placed it on a black background below.
Pedigree History paraphrased from Jack Hancock and Bob Harwell: (http://www.raregold.com/pages/page/Judd1776) and PCGS (https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-patterns/complete-sets/complete-gold-patterns/alltimeset/22286) along with some full names I found online.
Here's some info on John E Wilkison's company:
The 1907 St Gaudens Indian Head Double Eagle has such incredible detail. I really like that one.
.
CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
.
Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
.
More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC
Amazing indeed!
That is amazing!
I got interested in this one, apparently the only Barber dime pattern and in the Smithsonian. Barber must have really liked the extra fold under the right ribbon, because he added it back to the design in 1901.
If only we had these today!
Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.
It was nice when Mint employees could take patterns for their personal collections like Charles Barber did for the St. Gaudens Indian Head Double Eagle. More recently, the US Mint reclaimed the 1974-D Aluminum Cent which was in the collection of Harry Edmond Lawrence, a former deputy superintendent of the Denver Mint.
RE: "It was nice when Mint employees could take patterns for their personal collections like Charles Barber did for the St. Gaudens [sic] Indian Head Double Eagle."
Barber did not make pattern and experimental pieces for his personal collection. The pieces were ordered by the mint director - some at instruction from President Roosevelt. Barber, along with several other officers, was permitted to buy pieces that were not otherwise allocated to the President. This avoided having to melt the pieces to balance the gold bullion account.
In 1908 members of the Assay Commission were each offered one 1907 $10 Saint-Gaudens coin with periods on the reverse and knife rims. Only member William Ashbrook was interested and he bought all coins the others refused.
[See Renaissance of American Coinage 1905-1908 for details.]
Saul Teichman's spreadsheet of significant patterns in the Brand collection is at:
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/archivedetail/513927?Year=2017&take=50
Thanks! Who wouldn't love to have that bunch of patterns - even if they were disorganized!