Smart Buying Guide: How to Buy Rare French Patterns and Essais Without Getting Ripped Off

Let me be honest with you right up front: if you’re serious about collecting French patterns and essais, you’d better have your finances in order. This is one of the most thrilling—and financially demanding—niches in all of numismatics. A fellow collector put it bluntly on the forum recently: “you will need a very fat check-book to bid.” And honestly? They weren’t exaggerating. Between heavyweight auction houses like MDC Monaco, Palombo, and NGSA, the competition for these experimental strikes is fierce, the prices are steep, and the pitfalls are numerous. But here’s the good news: with the right strategy, you can navigate this market intelligently, avoid overpaying, and build a collection that’s both historically significant and financially sound.

I’ve spent years tracking auction results and dealer pricing across the numismatic world, and I want to share everything I’ve learned about buying French patterns and essais the smart way. We’ll cover where to find these pieces, how to spot red flags before they cost you money, how to negotiate effectively, and the critical decision between buying raw versus slabbed. Whether you’re assembling a Pillet coinage patterns set or simply drawn to the extraordinary beauty of these experimental strikes, this guide will give you a genuine edge.

Understanding the Market: Why French Patterns and Essais Command Premium Prices

Before we get into buying strategies, you need to understand why this segment of the market behaves the way it does. French patterns and essais are not your typical circulating coinage. They are experimental pieces—test strikes produced by the Monnaie de Paris or private engravers like Pillet—created to evaluate designs, alloys, or production techniques before (or instead of) full-scale minting. Many were produced in extremely limited quantities, sometimes as single unique examples, and they were never intended for public release.

That scarcity is the engine driving this market. As one forum participant noted, “Most are quite attractive and well made,” and the sheer beauty of these pieces only amplifies demand. The result? A market where a single essai can command thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars—particularly when it features an unknown design, an unusual metal composition (like a silver strike of a design normally produced in nickel), or a signature from a renowned engraver.

If you’re going to collect seriously, you need to know the Mazard numbering system. It’s the reference catalog for French patterns, and specialists in this area understand that an “unlisted in Mazard” designation can dramatically increase a piece’s numismatic value—and its price at auction.

Where to Buy: Auction Houses, Dealers, and Online Platforms

Knowing where to look is half the battle. Let me walk you through the key venues and what to expect from each.

Major Auction Houses: MDC Monaco, Palombo, and NGSA

These are the heavyweights in the French pattern and essai market. MDC Monaco, in particular, consistently offers what forum members described as a “great (and pricey) selection.” The quality is exceptional, the provenance is usually well-documented, and the cataloging is thorough. But you’re paying a premium for that reputation. Buyer’s premiums at these houses can range from 20% to 25% or more, and the competitive bidding environment means emotional bidding can push prices well beyond estimate.

My advice: If you’re targeting a high-value, rare variety—especially one that’s unlisted or features an unusual metal strike—these auction houses are often your best bet for authenticity and documentation. But set a firm maximum bid before the auction begins and stick to it. The “fat check-book” warning exists for a reason.

Online Bidding Platforms: Sixbid.com and Beyond

Platforms like Sixbid.com aggregate listings from multiple auction houses, giving you broader access to French patterns and essais without having to monitor each house individually. This is an excellent way to track market pricing and identify pieces that might not appear in headline sales. But be cautious: not every listing on an aggregator platform comes with the same level of vetting as a direct sale from MDC or Palombo. Always verify the seller’s reputation and the coin’s authenticity independently.

Direct from Dealers and Private Sales

One forum member noted having to “pay retail” because of all the dealers in the room at an auction. Sound familiar? Dealers who specialize in French patterns and essais—particularly those who attend major shows and auctions—often have inventory that never reaches public auction. Buying directly from a reputable dealer can sometimes yield better pricing than auction, especially if you’ve built an established relationship. The trade-off is that you may have fewer guarantees regarding grading and return policies.

Red Flags: What to Watch Out For When Buying French Patterns

The French pattern and essai market, like any high-value collectible niche, has its share of pitfalls. Here are the red flags I’ve encountered most frequently over the years:

• Unverified authenticity: Because these pieces were often produced outside normal minting channels, documentation is critical. If a seller cannot provide provenance, a reference to the Mazard catalog (or a credible explanation for why the piece is unlisted), and ideally a grading service certification, proceed with extreme caution.
• Cracked slabs and “Details” grades: One forum member shared a cautionary tale I think every collector should hear. They purchased a piece that wasn’t PCGS graded like most others in the sale, suspecting it may have received a “Details” grade—meaning it was cleaned, damaged, or otherwise impaired—and was subsequently removed from its slab. If you’re buying a raw coin that was previously slabbed, always ask why it was cracked out.
• Unsigned pieces of questionable attribution: The forum discussion highlighted an important distinction between signed and unsigned Pillet essais. A signed piece carries significantly more weight in terms of attribution and value. Unsigned pieces can be harder to authenticate and may be worth considerably less—but sellers don’t always price them accordingly.
• Unusual metal compositions without explanation: A silver strike of a design normally produced in nickel can be a major find—or a red flag. If the metal composition doesn’t match known references, demand an explanation and, ideally, metallurgical testing or a grading service’s confirmation.
• Overpriced “common” varieties: One forum member noted that the design they already owned was the “common” one often seen in Mazard-2149. Common doesn’t mean cheap in this market, but it does mean you should understand the price differential between common and rare varieties before you start bidding.

Negotiating Tips: How to Get the Best Deal

Negotiating in the world of French patterns and essais requires a different approach than haggling over a common-date Morgan dollar. Here are strategies I’ve seen work consistently:

1. Do your homework on recent comps. Before entering any negotiation, research what similar pieces have sold for in the last 12–24 months. Auction archives from MDC, Palombo, and Heritage are invaluable. If a piece is priced 30% above recent comparable sales, you have real leverage.
2. Build relationships with dealers. The collectors who get the best deals are the ones dealers call before a piece goes to auction. Attend major shows, introduce yourself, and express serious interest. A dealer who knows you’re a committed buyer will often offer you first refusal at a fair price.
3. Bundle purchases. If you’re buying multiple pieces from the same seller or auction lot, ask for a volume discount. Even a 5–10% reduction on a multi-piece purchase can save you thousands.
4. Be willing to walk away. The forum member who let a bronze Pillet essai go to “save fire power” for a rarer silver strike demonstrated excellent discipline. In this market, there will always be another opportunity. Don’t let FOMO drive you into an overpriced purchase.
5. Negotiate on raw coins. Raw (unslabbed) pieces typically sell at a discount compared to their slabbed equivalents. If you have the expertise to evaluate a raw coin yourself—or are willing to submit it for grading after purchase—this can be an excellent way to acquire rare pieces at lower price points.

Raw vs. Slabbed: The Great Debate for French Pattern Collectors

This is one of the most consequential decisions you’ll make as a buyer, and the forum discussion illustrated the tension perfectly. One collector bought a raw Pillet essai—despite it not being PCGS graded like most of the others in the sale—because it was rare and needed for their set. They acknowledged it might have received a “Details” grade, which is likely why it was cracked from its original slab.

Here’s my breakdown of the raw versus slabbed decision:

When to Buy Slabbed

• You are new to the French pattern and essai market and lack the experience to evaluate raw pieces confidently.
• The piece is extremely high-value, and you need the authentication and grade guarantee that a major grading service (PCGS, NGC) provides.
• You intend to resell the piece in the future, as slabbed coins generally have stronger liquidity and broader market appeal.
• The piece has a known pedigree or provenance that is documented in the slab.

When to Buy Raw

• You have the expertise to evaluate the piece’s authenticity, condition, and quality firsthand.
• The piece is so rare that it may not have been submitted to a grading service—and submitting it yourself could actually increase its numismatic value if it grades well.
• You are purchasing from a trusted source (a known dealer or fellow collector) where provenance is established.
• The price differential between raw and slabbed is significant enough to justify the additional risk.

One important note: if you buy raw and plan to submit for grading, factor in the cost and time of submission (typically $50–$200+ depending on the service level and coin value, plus several weeks to months for turnaround). Also be aware that grading is not guaranteed to work in your favor—a piece you believe is Mint State 65 could come back as Details, significantly impacting its value and eye appeal.

Building a Strategy: Typesets, Monarchs, and Period-Based Collecting

The forum discussion revealed an important strategic consideration: French patterns and essais offer enough material to build highly specialized, focused collections. One collector mentioned developing “the framework for typesets for Monarchs and/or various periods in French History.” Another focused specifically on Pillet coinage patterns, including pieces with connections to Mexican coinage design.

This kind of focused approach is not just intellectually rewarding—it’s also a smart buying strategy. Here’s why:

• Less competition: As one forum member noted, collecting French patterns and essais means “more coins, less competition” compared to more mainstream numismatic categories. By narrowing your focus further—say, to Pillet patterns or Piedfort Essai issues—you reduce the number of competing bidders even more.
• Greater expertise: Specialization allows you to develop deep knowledge of a specific area, making you better at identifying undervalued pieces, spotting fakes, and predicting market trends.
• Stronger negotiating position: When you’re known as a serious collector in a specific niche, dealers and other collectors take you more seriously in negotiations.
• Higher long-term value: A complete, well-documented typeset of French patterns from a specific period or engraver is far more valuable—both in numismatic terms and in collectibility—than a random assortment of pretty pieces.

One particularly interesting area mentioned in the forum is Piedfort Essai issues—patterns struck on double-thickness planchets. These are visually striking, historically significant, and relatively scarce, making them an excellent target for collectors who want something unusual that still has strong numismatic credentials.

Pricing Realities: What to Expect in Today’s Market

Let’s talk numbers. The forum discussion made it clear that French patterns and essais are not for the budget-conscious collector. “The essais were crazy high,” one member wrote. And the prices reflect the rarity, luster, and desirability of these pieces.

As a general framework based on my market analysis:

• Common variety essais in nickel (Mazard-listed, PCGS/NGC graded): $500–$3,000+ depending on condition, strike quality, and specific type.
• Rare design essais or unusual metal compositions: $3,000–$15,000+, with exceptional pieces going considerably higher.
• Unlisted or unique pieces: Essentially priceless in the traditional sense—these sell for whatever the market will bear at the moment, often $10,000–$50,000+ at major auction.
• Piedfort Essai issues: Typically command a premium of 30–100% over standard-thickness equivalents due to their visual impact, scarcity, and strong eye appeal.

These are broad ranges, and individual results vary significantly based on condition, patina, provenance, and the specific auction environment. But the bottom line is this: if you’re entering this market, you need to be prepared for serious financial commitment. The “fat check-book” comment was not hyperbole.

Final Thoughts: The Collectibility and Historical Importance of French Patterns and Essais

Despite the high costs and competitive bidding, French patterns and essais remain one of the most rewarding areas of numismatics for the serious collector. These pieces are not merely coins—they are artifacts of artistic and technological experimentation, tangible records of the creative process behind some of the world’s most beautiful coinage. A Pillet pattern connects you directly to the workshops of master engravers. A silver strike of a nickel design offers a glimpse into the decision-making process of the Monnaie de Paris. A Piedfort Essai showcases the mint’s technical capabilities at their finest.

The historical importance of these pieces cannot be overstated. They document the evolution of French—and in some cases, international—coinage design. The connections between Pillet’s French patterns and his work for Mexico, as one forum member illustrated, reveal the interconnected nature of global numismatic history in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

For the collector willing to do the research, exercise discipline in bidding, and build relationships within the community, French patterns and essais offer a collecting experience that is intellectually rich, aesthetically stunning, and financially sound. The key is to approach the market with a clear strategy: know where to buy, recognize the red flags, negotiate from a position of knowledge, and make informed decisions about raw versus slabbed purchases.

As with all great collections, the best time to start is now—but start smart. Build your expertise, define your focus, and don’t let the excitement of a rare find override your better judgment. The “fat check-book” may be necessary, but it doesn’t have to be empty when you’re done.

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