Patterns (1797)

History and Overview

Two pattern die varieties from 1797 are known, both being trial impressions from regular dies used to strike gold coins. As is true of other patterns of the era, these were made strictly for utilitarian purposes, to test the appearance of the dies, with no numismatic considerations.

Collecting Perspective

Of the two pattern varieties of this year, only one example of each has been traced, making them essentially non-collectible, although they are each held in the private sector.

One was defaced after it was struck, to prevent it from being gilt and passed into circulation. One can envision that such copper patterns were made for many other denominations and dies in this era, and then destroyed, probably by recycling through the melting and rolling process to create strips from which half cent and cent planchets were cut.

In the present instance, the defacing marks are part of the history and personality of the patterns and are not considered to be a negative aspect.