Best U.S. Pattern/Trial Coin Book(s)?

Any recommendations? I'm lookin' to learn a bit more about 'em.

Any online articles I should read? Certain authors favored by collectors? ect...

Thanks and God Bless,
Brian

PS: While you're at it, if you're lucky enough to own any, post a pattern coin from your personal collection! I'd love to see some examples!

 

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Personal opinion, best book on the series is the Pollock book. Unfortunately it is getting somewhat dated and I don't expect to see a second edition. That just leves the latest edition of Judd. Good for listings but not much background. If you are looking for a book to use as a price guide forget it. Nothing is accurate and prices can be all over the place. How can you have a price guide for a series of coins where almost every piece is R-6 or higher.

 

Wow, great site.. thanks for sharing... Patterns are great to see and learn about but, way out of my price range that's for sure..

 

Isn't Judd the standard? If in doubt, I always start with the book that everyone uses to assign catalog numbers to. I believe the Judd book is regularly updated.

 

Yes Judd is the standard reference, but Pollock contains more background information about the individual coins. Judd talls you what there is, Pollock tells you about them.

 

I would have both then. I find the danger of not having the book that assigns the number to be that occasionally there can be mismatches, or inconsistencies, etc between the standard and other books. That is just me, though, I like to have the book that sets out the numbering system, and then other books to supplement them.

Thanks for the info Conder.

Chris

 

Problem is Pollock is from 1994, is long out of print and is hard to find. Last I knew it was running $150 to $200. Ouch! one copy on abesbooks at $485. OK that's better, there are 5 used copies on amazon. One for $71, one for $100, two for around $200, and one for $275. The first two would be bargains, especially the first one.

 

I find the big blue Pollock book to be a good reference book.

 

Thanks for all of the help, guys! I've become really interested in researching pattern coins lately... Unfortunately, I doubt I'll ever own a decent example due to their pure rarity. If I'm able to find an example of Pollock's book at a fair price, I'll pick it up (even though it's said to be outdated), and I will most definitely be getting the latest edition of Judd at my next local coin show. Thanks again, y'all.

-Brian