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.
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.
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.
"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.
CAC. 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. Mirrored medium brown surfaces exhibit traces of mint red and subtle touches of turquoise and fuchsia. Quite attractive and very desirable.
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.
R-7. Liberty Head obverse with no star on the tiara. IN GOD WE TRUST on a scroll below and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA at the periphery above. 25 CENTS and the date within a wreath and STANDARD above on the reverse. Struck in copper with a reeded edge. This is an amazingly well preserved coin with a needle-sharp strike and nearly flawless deep mirrored fields. The design shows considerable frost and a spectacular iridescent turquoise hue dances off chocolate brown surfaces. The eye appeal is fantastic!
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.
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.
High R-6. A splendid Morgan Dollar pattern struck in copper. The obverse is the regular issue 'Morgan' design coupled with a William Barber designed Perched Eagle reverse. This wonderful example has essentially flawless deep mirrored proof surfaces that are nearly full red. Superb eye appeal. A single PCGS-67+BN coin is the only one to grade finer at PCGS or NGC.
R-6. Charles Barbers' "Washlady" obverse depicts Ms. Liberty with her hair piled atop her head. IN GOD WE TRUST is above with the date below and 13 stars around. An eagle is perched on the reverse with an olive branch in one claw and three arrows in the other. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and E PLURIBUS UNUM are above with QUAR DOLLAR below. This is one of the most admired of all pattern designs and is beautifully rendered on this magnificent example. Struck in copper with a reeded edge. The surfaces are very flashy and mostly red with a touch of iridescent lavender.