Sometimes, they were die trials. Thinking they were "set up and ready to go", they tested out their rig with a few copper planchets first. Maybe they were thinking "if they're screwed up, no one will accept a copper dollar as legitimate." in case the experiments leave the Mint. In many cases, what we call "patterns" were intentionally struck as fantasy pieces for collectors - off the record, unauthorized, and I suppose they were illegal. Maybe some still are, technically. I don't know.
Patterns are fully authorized by the treasury as being legal tender before they were struck, they just tested different metals to see when ones were going to be the easiest to deal with, silver being the obvious choice. Unauthorized coins such as the 1913 nickel and 1933 saint were both unauthorized but were accepted after awhile.
But in 1865 there was really no chance that we would be all using a copper dollar as the smaller coinage was silver. So I don't see how it was a choice at all. But it is still very cool
The color of the copper just looks wrong to me - more like a flat brick red. A very nice pattern coin.
In general, that is true. However, there are several Judd pieces which were unauthorized. If I get a minute, I'll check the book and list a few numbers. Not all of what we call "patterns" were struck for legitimate reasons, such as die trials, expermenting with different metals, or passing around to get feedback from the notables. Some were outright mules (eg pairing two obverse dies); some were "midnight runs" made for the purpose of artificially creating distinctive rarities. It's true they experimented with metals, as evidenced by the $4 gold / goloid etc coins (and many others). It's also true some patterns were die trials, with no intention of the off-metal being a proposal or experiment in the "other metal". It's case by case. Sort of... but some of the 1933 Saints aren't accepted yet. It's unclear what will happen with them, and no telling what will happen if another cache shows up. One thing is clear - there would be much talk on Coin Talk about it !
900fine, FWIW, our recollections are entirely in-line with each other with respect to your prior post. Well said..Mike
