Pattern Pros: How were prices 10-15 years ago?

Comments

• Lakesammman Posts: 17,460 ✭✭✭✭✭

  February 18, 2011 6:18AM

  Complicated question - depends on the pattern, how avidly they are collected, how esoteric they are, etc.
  
  Some have become more expensive, others less so.
  
  I would focus on the patterns you have an interest in then visit the HA archives to see if YOU can discern a trend.

  "My friends who see my collection sometimes ask what something costs. I tell them and they are in awe at my stupidity." (Baccaruda, 12/03).I find it hard to believe that he (Trump) rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world. (Putin 1/17) Gone but not forgotten. IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Broadstruck, Ricko, Big Moose, Cardinal.

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• Julian Posts: 3,370 ✭✭✭

  February 18, 2011 6:35AM

  I believe that the key to collecting patterns is defining your collection, as there is no point in trying to assemble a complete set of patterns.
  
  Pick a year, denomination, designer, or whatever and try to build a meaningful collection.
  
  Many rarities are worth more than they were, but there are some that have not increased that much.
  
  Look at this site, as well pattern site
  
  Hope that this helps.

  PNG member, numismatic dealer since 1965. Operates a retail store, also has exhibited at over 1000 shows.
  I firmly believe in numismatics as the world's greatest hobby, but recognize that this is a luxury and without collectors, we can all spend/melt our collections/inventories.
  
  eBaystore

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• rays Posts: 2,424 ✭✭✭✭✭

  February 18, 2011 7:40AM

  It seems that many patterns are worth less than their rarity would belie. The only explanation I can think of is relative lack of demand compared to regular Federal issues.

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• TonedRarities Posts: 484

  February 18, 2011 7:42AM

  compared to many years ago patterns have increased exponentially. Ones i could have picked up for a few hundred dollars 15-20 years ago i had to pay $5000+ for.

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• Julian Posts: 3,370 ✭✭✭

  February 18, 2011 10:40AM

  
  
  << <i>compared to many years ago patterns have increased exponentially. Ones i could have picked up for a few hundred dollars 15-20 years ago i had to pay $5000+ for. >>
  
  
  
  IMHO, there have not been any patterns that were just worth a few hundred $ within the past 20 years. I think that you have to go back to the 70's or 80's to find any real evidence of patterns being available for a few hundred $. There have always been some, but not any continuing supply.

  PNG member, numismatic dealer since 1965. Operates a retail store, also has exhibited at over 1000 shows.
  I firmly believe in numismatics as the world's greatest hobby, but recognize that this is a luxury and without collectors, we can all spend/melt our collections/inventories.
  
  eBaystore

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• avenue7 Posts: 54

  February 18, 2011 10:58AM

  In general, most rarities have increased in value

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• MrEureka Posts: 24,419 ✭✭✭✭✭

  February 18, 2011 11:49AM

  Except for the rarest and most famous patterns, prices have gone more or less nowhere in the past ten years. If you go back 15 years, the picture looks better, but still not so great. That said, the rarest and most famous patterns have done extremely well in the past ten years, primarily due the activities of just a few high level players.
  
  As for the future, my opinion is that there are still many great values in patterns, but I don't see prices heading higher anytime soon.
  

  Andy Lustig
  
  Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
  
  Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.

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