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Book Review of U.S. Pattern Coins, 8th edition

The 8th edition of U.S. Pattern Coins carries on the work started by Judd (and others). This time the book is edited by Q. David Bowers, prices complied by Robert Hughes, and research associate Saul Teichman. In addition, our own MrEureka (Andy Lustig) was a major contributor. For instance, Andy contributed endnote 3 for 1868-1871: "Andrew Lustig adds: 'If not THE greatest'." (If youw ant to know what Andy was discussing, he'll have to add to this thread! (
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The book is a fine continuation to the Judd series. Bowers has written a commentary for virtually each year in which patterns were struck. He gives the "History and Overview" and then a "Collecting Perspective" for each year's pattern coinage. These, alone, are worth the $30 price of the book. Anyone with an interest in the history of the U.S. mint will find these sections fascinating--they are chock full of interesting tidbits, all presented in Bowers' classic writing style. For instance, take this discussion of the patterns of 1868: "Among other patterns of 1868 is the intriguing '1868 large cent' (J-610 and J-611) incorporating an obverse die identical in its concept to a Braided Hair large copper cent of the 1843-1857 era, but dated 1868. The reverse die is identical to that used 1843-1857 on the cents. ... Many collectors have been startled to learn of the existence of a genuine 1868 large cent. The history of this strange anachronism, 11 years after the regular series had ended, is at once complete and incomplete. It is known, for instance, that a ten-cent coin of similar design had previously been struck as part of an exeprimental coinage. The obverse die was prepared from a large cent hub, the current date then being punched in. What happened then was, perhaps, inevitable. By some inscrutable means, the regular reverse die of the large cent which had been stored away, suddenly appeared together with--of all things--a dozen or so large cent planchets of exact size and weight and perfectly proofed! After these wonderous events--which we can only construe as being providential--there was nothing left to do but strike the coins!" Bowers' comments are, indeed, worth the price of admission!
The book is a continuation of Judd's work. Compared to Pollock's epic masterpiece, the past editions of Judd presented very few die varieties. So, too, with this edition because, unlike Pollock who both illustrated the different die varieties and gave them unique Pollock numbers, the 8th edition of Judd generally notes the presence of die varieties but does not illustrate them nor give them unique Judd numbers. In this sense, the Judd book is somewhat incomplete compared to Pollock. But the Judd book has more background on the coins and is probably superior for those who want a strong introduction to patterns.
The book, however, is not perfect. One weak point is especially disappointing: The pictures vary in quality from great to poor. In some of the pictures, all the details are easily observed. Other pictures, though, look like round, grey circles. (If you have a copy of the book, compare the picture of J-186 to J-187; J-186 isn't great, but the details are all there; J-187 allows you to determine that this particular pattern is round...probably.) The pictures in Pollock (and past editions of Judd) are superior.
The other weak point is in the pricing of the patterns. For each pattern, the book gives an estimated rarity, the number encapsulated at PCGS and NGC, the number of recent auction appearances and information about the last time the coin was traded at auction (the auction company, the date, the price, the grade, and the encapsulation service, if any). These data seem fine. But the book then gives estimated prices in MS (or PR) 60, 63, and 65. I don't know if these prices are forecasts of future prices, but they generally seem very aggressive. For instance, in 3-2003, an NGC PF65RB J-296 sold for $2,900 and the book lists a price of $4,500 for PR65; a J-1693 sold in 1-2003 for $8,625 in PCGS PR65 but the book gives an estimated price of $11,000 for PR65; or a J-1608 in NGC PR65 sold in 2-2003 for $97,750 but the book gives an estimated price of $125,000 for PR65. Almost always, the estimated prices are much higher than recent auction prices. I suspect that Robert Hughes, who complied the prices, must not have had access to the data showing recent auction prices when he was putting together his estimates of the prices.
Is the book worth buying? ABSOLUTELY! If you already collect patterns, you need it. If you don't, buy the book anyway. ANR is selling copies autographed by David Bowers and, as I said before the book is only $30. Buy this book before the coin and you won't be sorry!
Mark

The book is a fine continuation to the Judd series. Bowers has written a commentary for virtually each year in which patterns were struck. He gives the "History and Overview" and then a "Collecting Perspective" for each year's pattern coinage. These, alone, are worth the $30 price of the book. Anyone with an interest in the history of the U.S. mint will find these sections fascinating--they are chock full of interesting tidbits, all presented in Bowers' classic writing style. For instance, take this discussion of the patterns of 1868: "Among other patterns of 1868 is the intriguing '1868 large cent' (J-610 and J-611) incorporating an obverse die identical in its concept to a Braided Hair large copper cent of the 1843-1857 era, but dated 1868. The reverse die is identical to that used 1843-1857 on the cents. ... Many collectors have been startled to learn of the existence of a genuine 1868 large cent. The history of this strange anachronism, 11 years after the regular series had ended, is at once complete and incomplete. It is known, for instance, that a ten-cent coin of similar design had previously been struck as part of an exeprimental coinage. The obverse die was prepared from a large cent hub, the current date then being punched in. What happened then was, perhaps, inevitable. By some inscrutable means, the regular reverse die of the large cent which had been stored away, suddenly appeared together with--of all things--a dozen or so large cent planchets of exact size and weight and perfectly proofed! After these wonderous events--which we can only construe as being providential--there was nothing left to do but strike the coins!" Bowers' comments are, indeed, worth the price of admission!
The book is a continuation of Judd's work. Compared to Pollock's epic masterpiece, the past editions of Judd presented very few die varieties. So, too, with this edition because, unlike Pollock who both illustrated the different die varieties and gave them unique Pollock numbers, the 8th edition of Judd generally notes the presence of die varieties but does not illustrate them nor give them unique Judd numbers. In this sense, the Judd book is somewhat incomplete compared to Pollock. But the Judd book has more background on the coins and is probably superior for those who want a strong introduction to patterns.
The book, however, is not perfect. One weak point is especially disappointing: The pictures vary in quality from great to poor. In some of the pictures, all the details are easily observed. Other pictures, though, look like round, grey circles. (If you have a copy of the book, compare the picture of J-186 to J-187; J-186 isn't great, but the details are all there; J-187 allows you to determine that this particular pattern is round...probably.) The pictures in Pollock (and past editions of Judd) are superior.
The other weak point is in the pricing of the patterns. For each pattern, the book gives an estimated rarity, the number encapsulated at PCGS and NGC, the number of recent auction appearances and information about the last time the coin was traded at auction (the auction company, the date, the price, the grade, and the encapsulation service, if any). These data seem fine. But the book then gives estimated prices in MS (or PR) 60, 63, and 65. I don't know if these prices are forecasts of future prices, but they generally seem very aggressive. For instance, in 3-2003, an NGC PF65RB J-296 sold for $2,900 and the book lists a price of $4,500 for PR65; a J-1693 sold in 1-2003 for $8,625 in PCGS PR65 but the book gives an estimated price of $11,000 for PR65; or a J-1608 in NGC PR65 sold in 2-2003 for $97,750 but the book gives an estimated price of $125,000 for PR65. Almost always, the estimated prices are much higher than recent auction prices. I suspect that Robert Hughes, who complied the prices, must not have had access to the data showing recent auction prices when he was putting together his estimates of the prices.
Is the book worth buying? ABSOLUTELY! If you already collect patterns, you need it. If you don't, buy the book anyway. ANR is selling copies autographed by David Bowers and, as I said before the book is only $30. Buy this book before the coin and you won't be sorry!
Mark
Mark


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Comments
Shhhh! I was hoping TDN might miss that!
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Perhaps two addenda for the next edition:
1. A list of old Judd numbers and their corresponding new Judd numbers.
2. A way to map Pollock numbers to Judd numbers. I know that the Judd enumeration scheme has seniority, but many of us know the Pollock scheme.
EVP
How does one get a hater to stop hating?
I can be reached at evillageprowler@gmail.com
Aside from better pricing, what I'd like to see is better pictures. The pictures in the current edition were complied from a group of sources, some better than others. (There were a lot of pictures from NGC; I think the average of these pictures was not high.) It would be great if you could standardize the source a'la Pollock.
I also second evp's suggestion of a map of Judd numbers to Pollock numbers. I know that Pollock has this map, but it would be nice to have it in both books.
Mark
For the next edition, I would include a comprehensive list of all pattern appearances at auction, ala the Dannreuther/Garrett book.
Mark: Just the opposite. The prices in the new Judd book are, overall, "retail" prices, which are basically roughly 20% higher than most auction prices (which I assume are then viewed as wholesale prices). In most cases, the roughly 20% "price hike" is systematically applied. Most coins I have bought at auction over the past year are simply listed roughly 20% higher in the book (some even more), with a few exceptions.
Some prices are also wildly too high and some wildly too low. I do intend to speak with Bob later this year about some prices which are totally unjustified IMHO (some going each way by the way). In summary, the pricing is certainly a "work in process" IMHO. But, I do "tip my hat" to the overall effort in bringing out such a fine book overall.
Wondercoin
Focus on better/more photos?
The book although small in size is a great coffe table volume. The quality of the print, color, binding, paper is excellent.
Don't buy it, steal it @ $30 even if you do not collect patterns.
My only regret....how is it these great designs were not made and we ended up with so many long and boring series. I say 20 years is long enough for a series.
“It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.” Mark Twain
Newmismatist
I have the book, and it appears the photos were "actual size" -- the smaller coins would benefit from enlarged photos. I love the Pollock book but this one is compact enough to allow carrying it to a show if you wanted to. I liked the data on auction appearances, number slabbed, etc.
By the way, the first edition is already sold out according to the publisher. Only took eight weeks.
I also highly recommend the book. Even if you don't collect patterns, you'll really like seeing the designs for coins "which might have been".
New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.
Specializing in 1854 and 1855 large FE patterns
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