Pattern coin

A pattern coin is a coin produced for the purpose of evaluating a proposed coin design, but which was not approved for general circulation. They are often off-metal strikes, to proof standard or piedforts. Patterns are collected by many coin collectors, and although some decide to focus upon them alone, they are generally of interest to all coin collectors because of their highly elaborate designs.

General Pattern Coins

It almost goes without saying that pattern coins, insofar as they were required at least as test pieces for the coin to be issued must surely have existed since the earliest time of coinage. Unfortunately we cannot identify the earliest coins of this type positively.

English Pattern Coins

As far as English coins are concerned the first coin we can surely identify is a Groat or four penny piece of Edward III. This piece, an example of which was illustrated & sold in the Dodsley Cuff sale of the mid-19th century had crowns in place of the usual three pellets in each quarter of the reverse.

Patterns are particularly identifiable & exist in larger numbers from the reign of Elizabeth I onwards. Whilst all sectors of the currency were blessed with the striking of patterns, the base metal issues were particularly well provided for because of their experimental nature, at least until the mid-18th century.

Bolton's mint in Soho produced prodigious quantities of patterns, which were supplimented by Taylor some fifty or so years later from the same dies.

Earliest United States Patterns

After the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4,1776 discussion arose over what sort of currency system should be adopted in the United States. During the next 16 years, a variety of different coin designs from over the world were common. In this period, a relatively large amount off different pattern coins, proposed for use in the newly found states were created. However, none of these designs were used by the general public.

In 1792 the United States Mint opened in Philadelphia. In that year several more patterns were created, although details are very sparse. That same year however, a Half Dime, or then known as "Half Disme" was created. It is believed that circa 1,500 pieces were struck as patterns, but that these started circulating during the next decade, as evidenced by the relative high number of circulated specimens currently known.

For the next 40 years, more "patterns" were created but there is little information currently known about these pieces and only a few are known to exist. Technically, these coins were not patterns but rather "Off-Metal Strikes", with the coins struck in a different metal than those destined for general use in circulation. An example is an 1807 Half Eagle, or 5-Dollar gold piece struck in copper.

Mid 19th Century United States Patterns

Starting in 1836 more patterns were created by the United States Mint in Philadelphia (no patterns are known to have been created at branch mints with one or two exceptions). These consisted of several types of patterns, which can be grouped in the following categories:

* Real pattern coins for proposed coinage
* Off-Metal Strikes
* Transitional Pieces
* Fantasy Pieces

Transitional pieces are patterns dated before they officially went into circulation, but with the adopted design. These were often the final patterns after the creation process and used to show people the new adopted design. One famous example is the 1856 Flying Eagle cent, although that coin is commonly and incorrect adopted as a regular issue due to its high mintage for collectors. This happens more with patterns, creating the scenario that very rare patterns bring less money than more common issue more known in the numismatic market.

Fantasy pieces is a large group which can be re-defined into sub-categories. These include many pieces struck in the 1860s and 1870's as patterns and sold to numismatics with the sole-intent of raising the cash of the mint. These issues are now largely collected by pattern collectors with the definition of true patterns and fantasy pieces becoming less important.

In the late 1880s security at the Mint become better and less patterns "escaped" the mint. The sale to collectors was also brought to a halt.

The patterns of the mid 19th century are historic pieces of US numismatics and often collected as such. Often called an under appreciated era of numismatics patterns are becoming more important in recent times to collectors raising the prices of the significant patterns in the market and at numismatic auctions.

20th century and beyond

All patterns of the 20th century and later are very rare, with only a few pieces that exists in collector's hands. In recent times, the United States mint has restricitons on the sale of modern pattern coins, as they claim that they should never have left the mint. Such coins (like the 1964 peace dollar) are bought and sold only on the black market.

Other Countries

Pattern coins of France and of French-speaking countries such as Monaco are described by the French term "essai". A number of French-speaking countries such as Monaco have had essai coins struck. The essai coins of the New Hebrides are of interest to collectors of British Commonwealth coinage, as the New Hebrides became independent in 1980 as the Republic of Vanuatu.

The word 'Essai' is found inscribed on the pattern coins of Namibia along with the German word 'Probe'.

External links

*http://www.uspatterns.com/