FAQ: The 1776 Massachusetts Pine Tree Copper
Ethan
Posts: 315 ✭✭
The other coin, now owned by the Massachusetts Historical Society, is reproduced on the following page in a copy from the Copley Coin Company. It has a Pine Tree on the obverse with the legend 1d L[awful] M[oney], on the reverse is a seated figure of Liberty with the legend LIBERTY AND VIRTUE. This coin, valued at a penny, is the largest of the three with a diameter of 31.8mm and a weight of 198 grains. The attribution to Revere is based on the close style of the lettering in all three examples to his known work, the knowledge that he encouraged the use of the seated liberty figure which is prominent in all three patterns, and the discovery of the "Janus" coin with the copperplates Revere designed for 1775-79 Massachusetts issues of paper currency.
There is only one original example of this coin, a copper coin of 31.8 mm weighing 198 grams, which was discovered in the 1850's. It was acquired by William Sumner Appleton near the end of that century. He later donated it to the Massachusetts Historical Society where it now resides.
In all probability other examples individuals may hold are reproductions. Some dies were made in imitation of this famous coin and several copies were struck. Possibly your coin is one of these and would have a small numismatic value. The Copley issue (which we have on the website) was a special silver coin put out by a Massachusetts coin company and is a commemorative issue with little monetary value. Also, more recently, some companies have made copper copies of colonial coins for sale as souvenirs at historical sites.
The value of coins from an imitation die would not be very high, possibly around $25 to $50. Commemorative issues, as the Copley, are in that same price range. If your item is a modern souvenir copy it would not have a numismatic value (these items sell for about $1 each or a package of four for $3.00). See exampe below.
If you believe you may have an hitherto unknown second original example you may wish to have the coin authenticated The American Numismatic Association provides an authentication service.
ALSO read this link
http://www.gi.alaska.edu/~jesse/treasure/chat/hunt.html
My version.....
SO the question is........What are the odds?
There is only one original example of this coin, a copper coin of 31.8 mm weighing 198 grams, which was discovered in the 1850's. It was acquired by William Sumner Appleton near the end of that century. He later donated it to the Massachusetts Historical Society where it now resides.
In all probability other examples individuals may hold are reproductions. Some dies were made in imitation of this famous coin and several copies were struck. Possibly your coin is one of these and would have a small numismatic value. The Copley issue (which we have on the website) was a special silver coin put out by a Massachusetts coin company and is a commemorative issue with little monetary value. Also, more recently, some companies have made copper copies of colonial coins for sale as souvenirs at historical sites.
The value of coins from an imitation die would not be very high, possibly around $25 to $50. Commemorative issues, as the Copley, are in that same price range. If your item is a modern souvenir copy it would not have a numismatic value (these items sell for about $1 each or a package of four for $3.00). See exampe below.
If you believe you may have an hitherto unknown second original example you may wish to have the coin authenticated The American Numismatic Association provides an authentication service.
ALSO read this link
http://www.gi.alaska.edu/~jesse/treasure/chat/hunt.html
My version.....
SO the question is........What are the odds?
"A gun is like a parachute. If you need one, and don't have one, you'll probably never need one again.
“I want you to remember that no * ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb * die for his country”
“I want you to remember that no * ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb * die for his country”
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“I want you to remember that no * ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb * die for his country”
BTW : I drove today and am still here so it must be a fake!
“I want you to remember that no * ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb * die for his country”