Show Of Hands: Any Classic Pattern Collectors?

Genuine patterns of coins that are of a design that are obviously preliminary to a coin that made it into production, are very rare. I have only one such piece.

There are other classes of patterns that are relatively common. For example, patterns of Euro coins were produced in large quantities to familiarise the population prior to the issue of the circulating designs. I have pattern Ecu and Euro pieces in this category.

Another class of patterns are the unofficial fantasy crown sized coins of Edward V111. I have a couple of these.

The British also did an official not issued series of pattern coins of Edward V111, which are museum pieces.

There were a series of patterns made at the time of Oliver Cromwell. They parallel the contemporary circulating coins. Although these coins were not officially issued, it appears that many of them did circulate widely. All of them are rare.

The French in 1848 made a whole series of patterns from 5 franc down, similar to the circulating coinage. These coins turn up occasionally at auction, priced typically at around $250.

The French also did a series of pretender coinageov Henri V, that parallels the circulating coins. I suspact that these were produced as a fund raising exercise. I have a silver 1 franc of this series.

Australia did an experimental series of square pattern pennies and half pennies. All of the examples in this series command huge prices at auction.

And almost all of us know of the famous 4 dollar gold Stellar patterns and the St Gaudens High Relief and Extremely High Relief Double Eagles.

I have one pattern, a J-160 original 1854 proof large cent in NGC PR-65 BN. I liked the uncluttered design and considering what it would cost to purchase a regular proof large cent of any date this coin was a bargain. There are many beautiful pattern coins out there but at the moment I'm not too interested in getting any more, unless some tremendous bargain presented itself.

Here are photos:

I do consider my J-160 cent a bargain, for two reasons.
1) The Philadelphia mint did not start making runs of proof coins for collectors until 1858 or so. Any proof issue of a standard-design coin dated 1857 or earlier is likely to cost at least $5,000. This pattern cost less than half that price.

2) Proof large cents of any date are scarce and expensive. The cheapest one sold through Heritage in the last two years went for $4140 and it was graded PR-63. Almost all the rest went for over $10,000. Obviously buying the pattern was the economy choice. The fact that I love the design made my decision pretty clear.

Jaobler a fantastic pattern, clean fields, great detail a true gem!

So there are pattern coins that didnt make the cut? Those would be cool to have.

Patterns are cool, but light years beyond my shoestring budget.

with the others.
So here is my pattern.
I've been tempted, but I know so little about them except that they are rare and very expensive

Ooops I don't have any

I feel lucky enough just to see a picture of a pattern. No way would I ever be able to afford one, much less collect them.