Do you collect pattern coins?

Dentuck

The 10th edition of Judd’s United States Pattern Coins, edited by Q. David Bowers, will come out this fall.


If you collect U.S. coins but you don’t know about patterns. . . you’re only getting half the picture. These rarely seen experimental pieces illustrate the trials, struggles, and backstage intrigue that preceded so many of the U.S. Mint’s regular-issue coins. Now, for the first time ever, the completely updated 10th edition of Dr. J. Hewitt Judd’s classic text is illustrated in brilliant color. Building on Judd’s foundation, award-winning author Q. David Bowers offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the history, rarity, and market values of America’s rarest coins.


As Bowers says in the preface, “A knowledge of patterns is essential to the understanding of the entire panorama of American coinage.”

RYK

Dennis, two questions:

1. Other than pricing, how is this book different from the previous edition?

2. When is the QDB colonial book being released?

Thanks, RYK

TwoSides2aCoin

I am in the "no" column. Patterns have always intriqued me and I hope to add a book to my collection this fall, although I've read about them and dreamt of owning a few for many years.

Book 'em , Denno !

abitofthisabitofthat

Not yet, but at some point I want to acquire some of the standard silver patterns from 1869. I like them quite a lot. I am intrigued by what I will call "True Patterns" - that is, were actually contemplated for circulating coinage. Other things (i.e. midnight minting) I personally would not be interest in.

RYK

So far, I am the only schmuck who answered:

"Yes, I own some, and I actively collect."

gecko109

<< <i>So far, I am the only schmuck who answered:

"Yes, I own some, and I actively collect."

>>




Obviously Boiler hasnt seen this thread yet!


Edited to add this picture taken at the ANA museum about 2 weeks ago. SIMPLY AWESOME!!!

TwoSides2aCoin

<< <i>So far, I am the only schmuck who answered:

"Yes, I own some, and I actively collect."

>>



Sir , you are no schmuck. You are one of my favorite people !

mrpaseo

Yes, I am an avid collector, though, I have never owned one and do not see myself with enough funds to own one anythime in the next 30 or so years but I'm still looking...lol.

Seriously, though I have always been attracted to patterns they have always been out of my reach. I received a book a few years on pattern (Free from a forum member) and found MANY that I would like to see let alone own.

I would love to see a thread of patters that the forum holds,
Ray

Dentuck

RYK, all of the chart data has been updated: certified populations, times at auction, most recent auction results, market valuations.

The text has been updated with new information from ongoing research, and the illustrations have been upgraded to full-color photographs from the best collections in the world.

IGWT

Dennis, two questions:

1. Other than pricing, how is this book different from the previous edition?

2. When is the QDB colonial book being released?

Thanks, RYK

I bought Judd 9th in March this year; and, while perusing it to note updates from the 8th edition for 5c patterns, I saw that J-416 & -17 are now described as "believed to have been made in the 1870s." I agree with that assessment. But then I saw that J-507 to -09 are now described as "struck at a later date." That conclusion differs from my own thinking that J-507 to -09 were struck in 1866 as true transitional patterns. My conclusion is based on familiarity with the other 5c patterns placed in the context of the regular coinage of the time. For example, as you know, the first twenty-five 5c proofs produced in 1867 were struck with with the same reverse as J-507. That's just one piece of strong evidence that J-507 is a legit 1866 coin.

I sent a note to MrEureka asking for an explanation of the change to the description of J-507 in the 9th edition. That inquiry led to discussions with Saul Teichman, who directed us to the article written by George Fuld and published in The Numismatist in '98 (a copy of the article is on the uspatterns website). I had read that article before, and didn't see that it supports a conclusion that J-507 is antedated, and I still don't. For starters, the without-rays die that Fuld calls Mickley Die No. 4 (which came from the same hub used for regular coinage beginning in 1867) is not the die used to strike J-507. There's more that makes me doubt some of Fuld's conclusions, but that alone might be enough to end the discussion. MrEureka agrees that J-507 is a true transitional pattern -- and I believe that Saul is also on board with that conclusion at this point -- so the 10th edition will likely be revised accordingly.

Steve27

<< <i>Yes, I am an avid collector, though, I have never owned one and do not see myself with enough funds to own one anythime in the next 30 or so years but I'm still looking...lol.

Seriously, though I have always been attracted to patterns they have always been out of my reach. I received a book a few years on pattern (Free from a forum member) and found MANY that I would like to see let alone own.

I would love to see a thread of patters that the forum holds,
Ray >>




I feel the same way, and I purchased an old copy of Judd-Kosoff's book.

Here's one of my favorites:

Aegis3

<< <i>RYK, all of the chart data has been updated: certified populations, times at auction, most recent auction results, market valuations.

The text has been updated with new information from ongoing research, and the illustrations have been upgraded to full-color photographs from the best collections in the world. >>



Have you Whitman people discussed anything about updating the Pollock work also?

lordmarcovan

I've had a few nice Darkside patterns in the past, but lack the budget to be a collector of US patterns.

CoinRaritiesOnline

Full color photos -- that's fantastic!

I will say that Whitman packs a huge amount of useful info into that small size book.

Overdate

I used to own a few when they were *much* cheaper, can't afford them now but I still like to browse through my Judd books now and then.

My favorites are designs that were ultimately adopted (transition patterns), such as the 1858 Indian cent, 1882 Liberty nickel, and 1877 Morgan half (the design that was adopted for the Morgan dollar the following year).