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Patterns (1857) us

Patterns (1857) Values

Greysheet & Red Book® PRICE GUIDE

The Greysheet Catalog (GSID) of the Patterns (1857) series of Pattern Coinage in the U.S. Coins contains 13 distinct entries with CPG® values between $4,200.00 and $60,000.00.

History and Overview

The year 1857 was the launching pad for American numismatics as a widespread hobby. The Act of February 21 mandated the discontinuation of the copper half cent and cent, effective two years thence (but later given a six-month extension). Soon, all such pieces, including the familiar large “pennies” of childhood, would be gone from circulation. Nostalgia swept America, and countless citizens looked through loose coins and elsewhere to see how many different dates they could acquire.

The new Flying Eagle cents were struck in quantity from 1857-dated dies, and on May 25, the first pieces were released to the general public.

Other patterns listed under 1857 are those actually dated in that year, including J-186 (featuring the head of Liberty essentially as used years later on the 1865 nickel three-cent piece), an interesting quarter dollar (J-188) from an incomplete reverse die, and a $2.50 gold coin with the same Liberty Head as used on J-186 (J-189).

Collecting Perspective

All patterns dated from 1857 range from rare to unobtainable, although with some patience a few representative pieces may be obtained.

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Greysheet News

The Business of Numismatics: October 2026 Greysheet Editor's Letter
The Business of Numismatics: October 2026 Greysheet Editor's Letter

While reviewing the initial results in various categories of recent auctions, my initial take is that the sales were moderate to strong.

Mack C. Chase Collection of Walking Liberty Half Dollars to Anchor Stack's Bowers Galleries' November 2026 Showcase Auction
Mack C. Chase Collection of Walking Liberty Half Dollars to Anchor Stack's Bowers Galleries' November 2026 Showcase Auction

More than 300 lots, consisting of high quality Walking Liberty half dollars from the Mack C. Chase Collection are set to cross the auction block as part of Stack's Bowers Galleries' November Showcase Auction, the official auction of the Whitman Expo.

U.S. Coins and Jewelry acquires one of the rarest circulating coins in U.S. Mint history
U.S. Coins and Jewelry acquires one of the rarest circulating coins in U.S. Mint history

The 1943 bronze Lincoln cent, graded Extra Fine by PCGS, was acquired from a family that held it unverified since the early 1960s.

Events

Knoxville Coin and Currency Show - TN
Knoxville Coin and Currency Show - TN Location: Rothchild Catering & Conference Center
Saturday, August 1, 2026
Coinacopia - FL
Coinacopia - FL Location: Coinacopia Building
Saturday, August 1, 2026
San Francisco Coin Show - CA
San Francisco Coin Show - CA Location: Fort Mason Gallery 308 Building A
Saturday, August 1, 2026