Proofs are stunning examples of the coin and can be used as an example of what minutiae to look for, for the variety collector (assuming the same die or die combination)... I like them, I simply cannot afford them... Patterns can give a fascinating and insightful perspective of contemporary thoughts and views at the time of its design... Some patterns can and are more attractive than the adopted design (granted that it is subjective and arbitrary) and some are beyond pedestrian and are strictly utilitarian... Happily, most fall somewhere in between.. Needing to put boundaries on the extent the collection, I have limited it to circulation strikes only... That being said, I do have a severely scratched half penny (F-287 I think) , a circulated pattern copper penny (I'm not home and don't know the Peck # offhand) and a holed 1714 Queen Anne farthing... One tends to acquire things despite oneself....