Are circulated Pattern coins common?
Skrill90
Posts: 264 ✭✭✭
I figured most pattern coins didn't circulate or were kept as cabinet pieces.
So I was quite shocked to see one circulated link below. Am I mistaken or were these commonly used in circulation?
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I would say that there would be more uncirculated/proof patterns than circulated versions.
I can't say that I have seen that "pattern" before. Interesting, but I would want it certified.
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Circulated patterns aren’t common, but I’ve seen enough of them, such that an appearance of one is by no means, shocking.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
1879 Flowing Hair stellas are frequently found in circulated grades, but those are the only ones I can think of.
Dealing in Canadian and American coins and historical medals.
1855 Flying Eagle cents come to mind for me.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
How many people are qualified to confidently buy this raw?
A few dozen?
I'm not versed in patterns but always find them fascinating.
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
I make no claim for or against authenticity. That said, the Chinese counterfeiters have made counterfeits of some patterns.
The eBay coin looks real to me. Maybe smoothed or tooled in the left obverse field, but real.
As for circulated patterns in general, only a small number of issues are regularly found worn. And probably 90% don’t exist at all in circulated grades.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
I keep checking my change...... no patterns yet.
I believe some patterns of the 1916 WL half circulated as they were close enough to the issued design that they passed as coins.
This would require expert authentication, even a TPG slab... and then, for the price, a collector who is interested in such pieces. Cheers, RickO
Pattern pieces were sold to collectors for a substantial premium over nominal or metal value. Most remained in collections - much more so than proof coins. But, some were spent. Mint archives include occasional letters about circulated patterns with the most commonly referred to being the $4 Stella. (This was also one of the most widely distributed patterns as part of Goloid and Metric sets made for members of Congress. 1859 Longacre halves are also among the most frequently seen, as are 'cents' from the pattern sets of 1858 (12 pieces in the set).
The illustrated piece appears to be a genuine pattern, but you can do much better on price for a far nicer looking example. Plus, circulated pattern pieces are difficult to sell - pattern collectors want uncirculated proof pieces.
I have a single J-161 and looking at Coinfacts PCGS has a number of them in circulation grades.
