anybody know why older british pattern coins...

coachleonard

... tended to get into circulation on a fairly regular basis? Even though I havent done a scientific study of it, it just seems like some of those older pattern coins-- I'm thinking particularly of 1600s-early 1700s pattern copper farthings-- come down to us circulated as opposed to uncirculated. In the UK, did they figure that after a few pattern types were struck, might as well just release them into circulation? Obviously that doesnt happen with US patterns (except for the privately struck Feutchwanger Cent).