Why patterns?

N#312443

Quite a few German coins (mules) are called “patterns”, what's the reason for that?

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Good question. I think that maybe someone who added them just didnt know what category to put them under and then the referee missed the mistake and confirmed them.

N#312443

Is possible that somewhere a pattern was produced with opposing sides of 2 circulating commemorative coins, in which case it shouldn’t be called a “mule“ as it is a pattern, but more likely it is just a „mule“ and should be a „circulating commemorative“. Same with the 5 Reichsmark „Martin Luther“, though this one has been entered as „mule pattern“.

As for the 2 Pfennig, that isn’t a mule at all, it is a mint error with 2 sides of the same coin, surely?

The 50 Pfennigs would be a „mule“, „standard circulating coin“ with an obverse of a 1 or 5 Pfenning (which ever is the correct size) matching the strike.

@Danthann  is the FRD referee. @Idolenz  has stacks of knowledge.

I have no insight into who entered them into the catalogue or who confirmed them.

I don't know why I was mentioned particularly for the topic of mules but my guess would be the same as King's first point. 

It was the next best thing we have. Technically mules shouldn't even exist on Numista as they are errors and a pain in the butt to catalog on top, especially when the two sides are from coins of different countries.

And yes, some die tests are not only made with a single die or a pair but the same die type reverse/reverse or obverse/obverse. I have no idea why though.