CASSEL'S PATTERN COLLECTIONS OFFERED BY HERITAGE

Two of collector and numismatic author David Cassel’s collections will be offered by Heritage Auctions in conjunction with the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money in Rosemont, Ill., in August.

Cassel is the author of the 2000 reference United States Pattern Postage Currency Coins, and the auction offerings will include his U.S. patterns struck in aluminum and his U.S. postage currency patterns.

Patterns are experimental pieces produced to test new designs, compositions, denominations and coinage concepts. Some patterns become approved coins while other patterns are never adopted. Both of Cassel’s specialities fall into the latter category.

Postage currency patterns were produced following the hoarding of regular issue circulating coinage during the Civil War.

In addition to collecting postage currency patterns, Cassel also collected patterns of various designs and periods whose shared connection is that they are made of aluminum, which was considered an exotic metal in the 19th century.

Cassel’s aluminum patterns include an 1880 Goloid Metric dollar pattern, Judd 1653, graded Proof 66 Cameo by Professional Coin Grading Service; a PCGS Proof 66 Cameo 1885 Snowden dollar pattern, Judd 1749; and a PCGS Proof 66 1885 Coronet double eagle pattern, Judd 1756.

Postage Currency Patterns

Originally thought to be composed of billon, Cassel’s Judd 326-b postage currency pattern piece is one of two examples in copper

Celebrated collectors R. Coulton Davis, Virgil Brand, King Farouk I of Egypt, Lester Merkin, and Milton R. Friedberg owned this unique copper pattern piece before Cassel

This 1868 dime pattern is believed to have been intended to be dated 1863, but a numeral 8 date punch was inadvertently used instead of a 3, Cassel believes. Aluminum Patterns

The 1880 Goloid Metric dollar pattern in aluminum is a compositional version for a proposed coinage alloy of gold, silver and copper.

1885 Snowden dollar pattern in aluminum was struck during experimentation by the Philadelphia Mint superintendent toward stifling counterfeiting by placing raised elements on a coin’s edge using a tripartite collar.

Cassel’s pattern example of two known pieces with the regular designs for an 1885 Coronet $20 double eagle, but struck in aluminum, grades PCGS Proof 66.

To read the complete article, see:
Specialized pattern sets in August sale by Heritage Auctions (www.coinworld.com/insights/specialized-patterns-sets-in-auction.all.html)

Wayne Homren, Editor

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