Pattern coins are a fascinating part of numismatics as they were struck to test the various designs, motifs, and innovations proposed over the years for our coinage.
All patterns are scarce with most being very rare. Pattern collecting is definitely an extremely advanced segment of American Numismatics.
Low R-7. The obverse displays CENT at the top, the date at the bottom, and one star on each side of the center. The center is setup to be a ring planchet but remains unperforated. The reverse is blank except for dentils around the border. Struck in nickel with a plain edge. A light dusting of gold rests upon brilliant surfaces that are nearly mark-free. The single finest graded of this variety at PCGS.
R-4. The obverse is similar to the regular issue 1854 cents, except there are no stars. The denomination is centered on the reverse within a laurel wreath, and the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is around the periphery. Struck in copper with a plain edge.
Rarity-5. A proof struck in copper-nickel with a plain edge. The obverse is the Flying Eagle design coupled with a reverse that resembles the 1860 adopted design but is lacking the shield at the top of the wreath. This is a beautiful example with a needle-sharp strike and highly reflective surfaces. The color is a lovely orange-red with iridescent turquoise and rose at the reverse rim.
R-7. Regular die trial for the Seated Liberty Dime. Struck in copper with a reeded edge. Extremely well struck with deep mirrored surfaces and vibrant mint red luster. The finest graded at either service!
Low R-6. Ex: Simpson Collection. Obverse similar to the regular issue with a slight difference in the date placement. Reverse also similar but the ribbon ends are longer and touch the dentiles. Struck in nickel with a plain edge.
CAC. High R-7. Struck in aluminum with a plain edge. The obverse design resembles the Three-Cent Nickel but on a regular size nickel planchet. The reverse has 5 CENTS within a wreath and a tiny IN GOD WE TRUST above. Very scarce with just 2 graded at PCGS and none at NGC. The last auction appearance goes back to a Kagin sale in 1977!
R-7, Fewer than a half dozen known. Standard Silver design with Ms. Liberty wearing a ribbon inscribed LIBERTY on the obverse. IN GOD WE TRUST is on a scroll below and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is above and around. 50 CENTS is within a wreath on the reverse with the date below and STANDARD SILVER above. Struck in aluminum with a plain edge. This is a very attractive piece and is devoid of the rust that tends to plague these early aluminum patterns.
R-5. Standard Silver design with Liberty facing right on the obverse wearing a diadem inscribed LIBERTY. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is above with IN GOD WE TRUST in a scroll below. The reverse has 25 CENTS inside a wreath with STANDARD SILVER above and the date below. Struck in silver with a reeded edge. This piece is brilliant with nice deeply mirrored fields and frost on the design features. Ex: Benson Collection.
CAC. "Standard Silver Quarter". High R-7. Struck in Aluminum with a reeded edge. Obverse has a bust of Liberty with LIBERTY across her headband. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA at the top and IN GOD WE TRUST on a scroll below. The reverse has 25 CENTS in a wreath with STANDARD SILVER above and the date below. A very high quality coin with nice cameo contrast. Only a very few known!
"Standard Silver Quarter". High R-7. Liberty wears a diadem with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA above and a scroll below. The reverse has 25 CENTS within a wreath and STANDARD SILVER above and the date below. Struck in aluminum with a reeded edge. This is a beautiful bright coin with deep mirrored fields that contrast with frosty design elements. Approximately 6 known with this being the finest graded at PCGS or NGC.
R-4. Similar to the regular issue Three Cent-Nickel with a larger date and smooth pillars in the Roman Numeral III. The Pollock book divides Judd-676 into two varieties with this being the rarer Pollock-755, an R-7.
"Standard Silver". Low R-6. Struck in silver. The obverse features the head of Liberty with a diadem in her hair and no stars on the tiara. A scroll with IN GOD WE TRUST curves beneath the bust. On the reverse, the date lies below 10 Cents in the center of the wreath and STANDARD is at the top center. This example blends rich fuchsia and deep blue across fully mirrored fields and sharp devices. Eye appeal is excellent.
High R-7. Bust of Liberty faces right wearing a headband inscribed LIBERTY. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is above and IN GOD WE TRUST is below on a scroll. Reverse has 50 CENTS inside a wreath with STANDARD SILVER above and the date below. Struck in silver with a plain edge. Outstanding quality with a beautiful blue and gold patina dancing off highly reflective surfaces.
R-7. Standard Silver design with Ms.Liberty facing right and wearing a headband inscribed LIBERTY. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is above and IN GOD WE TRUST is below. The reverse has 50 CENTS within a wreath and STANDARD SILVER above and the date below. Struck in copper with lovely golden-brown surfaces that have a lime-green hue.
R-7+. Struck from the regular Seated Quarter dies but on a copper planchet. The edge is reeded. A lovely Gem Proof with an emerald-green patina that shows iridescent hues of purple and gold. Very sharply struck with virtually flawless surfaces.
CAC. High R-6. The obverse is William Barber's beautiful Seated Liberty design coupled with a Standard Silver reverse. 25 CENTS is inside a thick wreath with STANDARD above. Struck in copper with a plain edge. This example has flashy mirrored surfaces that are mostly red with an iridescent hue of olive-brown and a touch of lime. The eye appeal is outstanding.
CAC. Low R-7. "Standard Quarter" struck in copper with a reeded edge. Beautiful reflective surfaces with iridescent orange-red luster that blends with a touch of soft brown. Ex: Denali Collection.
CAC. High R-7. Ex: Denali Collection. The obverse is William Barbers beautiful Seated Liberty design surrounded by 13 stars. The reverse is the regular Seated Liberty With Motto quarter. Struck in aluminum with a reeded edge. Beautifully preserved with radiant luster and nice contrast. Problem-free with no oxidation.
CAC. High R-7. The obverse shows Liberty facing right, the hair tied in a loose bun behind the head, with additional flowing curls across the shoulder. The headband is inscribed LIBERTY with a star above the forehead. The reverse is the usual Standard Silver design with the denomination inside a wreath, the date below. Struck in aluminum with a plain edge. Outstanding quality with nearly flawless surfaces that show none of the oxidation that tends to plague aluminum coinage.
R-8. Regular die trail for the 1874 $20 Liberty. Extremely rare as are all $20 gold coin patterns. This example is struck in copper with a reeded edge. Just 2 are known plus another example known that is struck in aluminum (J-1382). This is an attractive medium brown coin with iridescent lavender hues and just a trace of faded red. The strike is bold and the eye appeal is outstanding.