While reviewing the initial results in various categories of recent auctions, my initial take is that the sales were moderate to strong.
Patterns (1857) Values
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.
Greysheet News
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.
The 1943 bronze Lincoln cent, graded Extra Fine by PCGS, was acquired from a family that held it unverified since the early 1960s.





