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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Kirkuleez, post: 1501088, member: 36864&quot;]Before coins are put into circulation, pattern coins are created.&nbsp; These coins are often produced with off metal and off weight planchets.&nbsp; Some of the most famous patterns are mistakenly thought of as coins produced for circulation.&nbsp; Among these is the half dime or half disme of 1792 and the 1856 Flying eagle cent.</p><p>[ATTACH]192588.vB[/ATTACH]</p><p>The half disme featured above is the famous specimen strike example (PCGS SP-67).&nbsp; It is believed by many to be the first coin officially produced by the United States after the Coinage or Mint Act was signed into law on April 2, 1792.&nbsp; It is amazing to think of the hands that this coin passed through.&nbsp; And as a proof collector, it is the Holy Grail of my collection.</p><p>[ATTACH]192589.vB[/ATTACH]</p><p>The 1856 Flying Eagle cent has long been a pinnacle piece for collectors.&nbsp; The coin that introduced small cents has been hoarded over the years by some speculators.&nbsp; The most famous was Colonel John A. Beck who collected 531 of the estimated 800-1500 pieces produced.&nbsp; His hunch was correct and prices for this Longacre cent have soared over the years.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>Other patterns have captured the imagination of collectors for many reasons.&nbsp; Some of these coins are sadly unobtainable, but at least we can still enjoy them.&nbsp; </p><p>[ATTACH]192599.vB[/ATTACH]</p><p>The famous, unique Smithsonian example of the (J-1548) fifty dollar pattern known as the Half Union is a prime example.&nbsp; This coin was controversially considered stolen property of the mint and was finally returned to the government collection by Woodin in 1909 after paying $10.000 for it earlier that year.&nbsp; A huge sum for a coin in the day, but today its estimated value is nearly $25,000.000.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>Another unique pattern in the Smithsonian collection is this $20 gold pattern (J-1773).&nbsp; Surely nobody is regretting the decision to go with the St. Gaudens double eagle, but this coin is perhaps the most beautiful design by Charles E. Barber.&nbsp; What a beautiful coin it would have been.</p><p>[ATTACH]192630.vB[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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