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United States Pattern Coins
By J. Hewitt Judd, M.D., edited by Q. David Bowers. Pattern rare, mysterious, and beautiful. These seldom-seen experimental pieces illustrate the trials, struggles, and backstate intrigue that preceeded so many of the U.S. Mint's regular-issue coins. Q. David Bowers offers a fascinating inside look at the history, rarity, and market values of America's rarest coins. Hardcover, Full Color, 352 Pages. Hardcover.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review
January 30, 2014
A Great reference book that needs to be updated. Full review to follow.
As much as this is a reference for those interested in the Pattern Coins of the USA it is also a history of the goings on during the mints early days. It’s a fascinating look at public servants who were also self serving in their activities, as in generating personal revenue.
The book is organized chronologically starting in 1792 and running right up to 1999. For each year there is a general description of the patterns done that year and some background on how they came about.
There is also a description of the collectibility of that particular year.
Some years were more prolific than others so that collectors have a chance to get some of those patterns. At the other end of the collectibility scale are years when either few were done, or the year consisted of mostly unique pieces.
There are many full colour photos of the patterns including ones that are held in various institutions or the mint collection which would require extensive travel for you to see them.
A must for coin collectors, but also a must for those who love the art of coinage, how designs are developed and how the government of the day treated coinage.
Highly recommended
As much as this is a reference for those interested in the Pattern Coins of the USA it is also a history of the goings on during the mints early days. It’s a fascinating look at public servants who were also self serving in their activities, as in generating personal revenue.
The book is organized chronologically starting in 1792 and running right up to 1999. For each year there is a general description of the patterns done that year and some background on how they came about.
There is also a description of the collectibility of that particular year.
Some years were more prolific than others so that collectors have a chance to get some of those patterns. At the other end of the collectibility scale are years when either few were done, or the year consisted of mostly unique pieces.
There are many full colour photos of the patterns including ones that are held in various institutions or the mint collection which would require extensive travel for you to see them.
A must for coin collectors, but also a must for those who love the art of coinage, how designs are developed and how the government of the day treated coinage.
Highly recommended
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review