A Beginner’s Guide to Pattern Coins

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

This article is sponsored by CAC Grading, the collectors’ choice, inspiring confidence through accurate and consistent coin grading.

The term “rare” is used lightly in American numismatics. Many classic “rarities” have mintages approaching half a million, while others with mintages lower than 50,000 are relatively available on the market due to a niche collector market. This is especially true of pattern coins, with mintages often in the single digits. Their value, however, comes not only from their low population numbers, but also from the unfiltered look they provide into the inner workings of the U.S. Mint.

Die Design & Finishes

Pattern coins are often defined as experimental coins—test pieces for regular issues that the U.S. Mint produces before approving designs and production techniques. The most widely recognized reason for pattern coins is die design. Many of the most popular designs were in development for years before they were struck for circulation. For example, the final Morgan dollar design was the result of two years of development by engravers George T. Morgan and Charles Barber, who competed to create the winning design for the proposed dollar.

Some patterns were made to test new denominations, such as the Stella ($4) and half union ($50). There are also patterns that document the transition from one type to another, such as 1859 Indian Head cents struck with the reverse design of 1860, which were likely produced in preparation for future dies to be used on regular-issue coins.

Augustus Saint-Gaudens’s eagle (gold $10) and double eagle (gold $20) required many redesigns before a final version was developed that could be struck easily and would hold up well in circulation. In a letter to Mint Superintendent John Landis, Charles Barber raised concerns that the proposed eagle coins, lacking an edge design, would form a raised edge when “forced up between the die and the collar…which would not stand attrition, but would soon disappear, leaving a light weight coin that would be rejected by the Banks and custom offices and sub-treasuries.” Barber enclosed a pattern eagle with 46 stars on the edge, creating a new variety.

Some pattern coins were produced to test different finishes. Most modern pattern coins feature a standard design of Martha Washington and inscriptions unlike all currently circulating coins (the date 1759 and VIRGINIA are in place of the current date and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA), so as not to confuse the test pieces with coins intended for circulation. In 2025 a set of five Martha Washington patterns were discovered, all evidently testing different finishes: antique, satin, brushed, reverse proof, and proof.

Splashers & Hub Trials

Splashers and hub trials test proposed design elements to see how they would look in relief. Splashers are one-sided die impressions on soft metal, created by designers in the midst of their progress. Hub trials were made to test how designs looked as they neared completion and were created by stamping the obverse and reverse hub onto a planchet, which produced an incuse and backward impression of the design. Splashers (also known as die trials), like the pattern quarter eagle (gold $2 1/2) shown above, often have remnants of paper used to provide support for the metal adhered to their backs. For most of the 19th century, hubs and master dies did not have dates. Instead, they were punched into the working dies separately. Therefore, most hub trials and splashers lack dates and only feature design elements.

Collector Issues & Political Motives

From its founding and even into the 20th century, the U.S. Mint was notorious for illegally striking fantasy coins—especially patterns—for sale to collectors, usually to line the pockets of mint officials. In most cases, it is impossible to definitively distinguish fantasy patterns made for collectors from those legitimately involved in development, but it’s important to ask, “Should this exist?” Some of the most impressive sets of patterns, including those in aluminum, were likely struck for sale to collectors, who wanted coinage in the then-fashionable metal. 

Other patterns were produced to pique the interest of high-level mint and legislative officials. Some examples include the little-known postage currency pattern coins, which were struck without approval in an attempt to gain support from Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase. Similarly, around 600 of the Flying Eagle cent patterns of 1856 were distributed as samples for congressmen to encourage them to pass the pending coinage act. Later runs of the same year were released for sale to collectors in larger quantities and eventually entered circulation.

Collecting Pattern Coins

It is impossible to build a complete collection of patterns due to the sheer number of types and their inherently low mintages, combined with high price tags for well-known pieces. This leads many collectors to narrow their focus, either purchasing patterns adjacent to their primary sets or choosing a specific time period. The standard reference on pattern coinage is J. Hewitt Judd’s United States Pattern Coins: Experimental and Trial Pieces. While this reference gives catalog numbers, specialized websites and books often have the latest research. Because of their esoteric nature, patterns can be hard to value, making auctions the most common venue for their sale. 

Pattern coins’ historical value is compounded by their what-if factor, representing pieces that could be collected today if circumstances were different. Despite never being issued, patterns hold a rightful place among some of the most beautiful American coins.

---

Elliot Eng is a writer, researcher, and numismatic professional based in Southern California. His work has appeared in regional and national numismatic publications, earning him numerous literary awards and honors. In 2026 he was named the ANA’s Young Numismatist of the Year in recognition of his contributions to numismatics, including his work as founding president of the Young Numismatists of America. He works for the U.S. coin auctions department at Stack’s Bowers Galleries.

Cam Scheirer is an enthusiastic young numismatist interested in all things history and numismatics. He particularly enjoys writing articles and currently writes columns for the ILNA Digest and The California Numismatist. He also serves as co-editor of the Young Numismatists of America’s The Young Numismatist and his local coin club’s newsletter. He is in 9th grade and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Sign up for the monthly Reading Room Rundown to receive more great stories!