Show Of Hands: Any Classic Pattern Collectors?

I'll take a look and see if I can find it. I'm not quite sure where it is at at the moment but I think I know where it is. I got lucky back when I bought the thing. It is actually well worn, only VG to Fine. Made it the cheapest pattern I've ever seen, only cost me $100, but it was still a pattern. Of course that was back in the mid to late 70's.

Patterns are RARE, especially the U.S. ones, for specific reasons. My advice is, if you can get ANY pattern, from ANY country for a reasonable price, jump on it.

Just bear in mind in my previous post that for some countries, they are produced in large numbers to familiarise the public with a proposed new issue. Also, some 'patterns' are touted as patterns, but they are not. These are just commercial fantasy pieces, such as the Edward V111 crown 'patterns'.

That does not make them less interesting, but to have a genuinely rare pattern is somewhat of an achievement. The non U.S. ones in this category in my collection have come from auction.

This 1855 Flying Eagle cent may be a condition census coin ... on the low end! The eagle, date and reverse details are very well worn but visible. There's no apparent damage, just honest wear. It must've been some oldtime collector's pocket piece or lucky piece as I can't envision it otherwise circulating to garner such extreme wear. In terms of availability, this pattern is much rarer than the far more pricey 1856 Flying Eagle, so the album makers will likely never include it in a set.

I've seen a few of these 1855's over the years at shows; $2-3,000 range. Shows are the best hunting grounds for these elusive pattern coins, Delaner.

This low grade specimen cost me all of $75 from a dealer/collector about eight years ago. This may well be a record low price for a U.S. pattern coin in recent decades? Regardless, it's proven to be quite a conversation piece over the years. Among serious coin collectors, being those who invest in and read books about coins, the 1856 Flying Eagle's are, IMHO, the best known pattern coins. This 1855 is a close cousin and, given its size (smaller than a large cent) and copper content, it's very much a transitional piece between the large cent and smaller eagle cent type. While I'm not a big fan of slabs, I thought it best to get this unusual coin properly housed so that no more wear could be inflicted and that future owners would doubtless know what it is.

Cool story, Exoguy - yes, I'm sure that's a record for an 1855 small cent!

robbuddo - that 1863 is so bright I thought my monitor might burn out for a second! GORGEOUS!

Hi I'm new to site and noticed post thought I would join in. I have a few patterns, some inherited, some purchased (4th generation coin collector). This one actually has been in my family for quite some time.

I used to own one an 1863 2¢ pattern Judd-312 it was the one with the "God our Trust" instead of "In God We Trust" Motto. and the reverse had the word cents extremely curved. IIRC it was only a PR63, I always wanted the earlier 1836 Washington head 2¢ pattern, and a Gobrecht dollar - No stars obverse name on base, should have bought that impaired proof for $4800 back in 1982 when I had the chance, now I can't even think of owning one without hitting the lottery or having some unknown wealthy relative die and leave me a fortune! But that Gobrecht dollar I passed on still sticks in my mind clear as day.

In my coin dealing days I did have a few of the 3¢ nickel patterns and a Liberty head (same as the Three Cent piece design) nickel pass through my inventory, none were all that expensive at the time, and probably still aren't - then they were all well under $1K, I'd guess the prices are still fairly low as they were all pretty common - at least as pattern coins go.

Actually, to clarify the J-302 design for 1864 (but dated 1863), has the pointed bust and Longacre's "L" initial on the ribbon. If picture was more clear you would notice this coin is a business strike over a pattern, why, I have no idea. There is a point right in front of the rounded bust and the restrike over original pattern did not however damage the "L" at all.