Pattern Coins

DesertLizard

I have never seen a discussion on them in this forum.

What are they? Why were they made? How does one collect them?

Here is a nice one:

Nice Pattern Cameo

MrKelso

I have to smoke a cigarette after viewing that coin OH MY MY MY!!!!

Placid

Patterns are prototypes for coins that, for the most part, were never approved for circulation.

Cam40

lol @ MrKelso.
Its a rarely seen seated dollar type .Its also exceptionally clean for that date.Personally it says `silver round`to me.I,d have to know the full details of the history of a coin like that.It may be a coin that `had the treatment` from the folks over at NCS.I think it must of been curated to have mirrors like that on such an old old piece.
Patterns are like the coin collectors` coin collector.These proto type designs are nearly always rare.
One exception could be the 1856 FE 1c.
Or is that a rumor......

Cam40

Someone show that Wash Lady Morgan Pattern.I need to look for that one.At first glance its a Morgan but then you notice the slightly different detail...Its funny.

coinguy1

From Judd:

" Patterns are pieces which represent a new design, motto or denomination proposed for adoption as a regular issue, struck in the specified metal, and which were not adopted, at least in that same year. Those struck from these dies in other metals are pattern trial pieces."

This is also from Judd (I have always loved reading it), apparently quoted from Du Bois, Patterson. The Pattern Piece. A.J.N. Vol. 7, pp.56-58, Jan. 1883:

"Open for me your cabinet of Patterns, and I open for you a record, which, but for these half-forgotten witnesses, would have disappeared under the finger of Time. Read to me their catalogue, and I read to you, in part, at least, the story of an escape from the impracticable schemes of visionaries and hobbyists - a tale of national deliverance from minted evil. These are to be enjoyed as bygones, though there linger a fear for the spark that still smoulders under the ashes. Laws have been framed for them, words have warred over them. Now, only these live to tell the tale of what 'might have been'; only these remind us of what has been weighed, measured and set aside among the things that are not appropriate, not convenient, not artistic, in short, that are not wanted."

abmluce

only a "64"? Looks very clean to me. Looking at that coin is almost better than sex!

relayer

If you want to see some nice patterns, Check this thread

DesertLizard

Coinguy: You are a freaking walking encyclopaedia! Thanks for the "lesson"

abmluce: I thought the same, why only a 64? Just cameo? But then again no reverse is shown and it looks like a star is weak.

MrKelso: the seller told me he uses it instead of Viagra

Lakesammman

Coinguy:

Thanks for sharing the quotes. I have the book and never read it, using it only for reference purposes. I bought the book, autographed by Judd and Kosoff, for $2 at a coin dealers "garage sale".

Most pattern collectors are rarer than the patterns. There may be other exceptions but the one I am aware of are the 1858 FE/IHC patterns. They seem to attract active bidding at every auction with prices rising slowly over the years.

Here's one I bought a few years ago. Patterns are alot of fun. For me, they are a natural extension of the FE/IHC series.

coppercoins

A good web site to check out for pattern information. I have had a link to it from my site for over two years now. Well established site with really good info.

uspatterns.com

Clankeye

Coinguy1:
That's some mighty good writing there. Inspiring! (I mean that sincerely).

Didn't that guy used to write lot descriptions for Teletrade?

Just wondering,
Clankeye

Cam40

from harrybassfoundation Wash Lady also the next coin is the School Girl dollar

coinguy1

DesertLizard, Lakesammman and Clankeye,

I'm glad you guys liked that stuff. A large part of this board's appeal and enjoyment for me is the sharing of information. Heck, all I did was present quotes from the book. But, if the topic hadn't been raised, I wouldn't have been moved to re-examine something that I have long appreciated. So, thanks to you, too.

oreville

This Bass 1869 Judd 785 is one of my favorite patterns of his entire collection. I believe it was graded a proof 64 with a PCGS population of 2 for the ENTIRE issue in aluminum. It is gorgeous. I do not recall if this was graded by PCGS or NGC.

I speak from personal experience since I have a Judd 1254..... also a $20 aluminum pattern of the regular issue design graded by PCGS as PR65 (also have the NGC PR65 insert). The pop report in PCGS shows 1. This one is it. None ever submitted as yet in any other grade. Where are the others, if there are any others?????? It is supposed to be an R-7 which means 4 to 12 possible known. This pattern may also be an R-8 (2 to 3 known) but I am waiting for the 2nd to surface.

Bass 1869 aluminium pattern $20

By the way for comparison purposes this 1873 trade dollar is relatively common as a pattern at R-4 meaning 76-200 possible known. The PCGS pop report as of Jan. 2002 show 30 in all grades with 11 in 64v and 1 in 65. No doubt in my mind that close of half of the 64's were cracked out seeking a higher grade. This does not include the NGC pop report count.