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Everything Youve Always Wanted To Know About Vermont Colonials, from the PCGS COIN GUIDE
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Our Hosts have a wonderful writeup on the Vermonts, well worth a read!!
Coinage Authorized
Of the several states which issued copper coins during the 1780s the earliest was Vermont, an independent area which was not formally a state until its admittance to the Union in 1791. On June 10, 1785, Reuben Harmon, Jr., of Rupert, Bennington County, petitioned the House of Representatives for permission to produce coinage for Vermont. A committee consisting of Messrs. Tichenor, Strong, and Williams, with the addition of Ira Allen from the Legislative Council, was formed to consider the proposal. On June 15, 1785, a bill authorizing Reuben Harmon, Jr. to coin copper pieces was sent to the governor and Council for their consideration and possible amendment: "Whereas Reuben Harmon, Jr., Esq., of Rupert in the county of Bennington, by his petition has represented that he has purchased a quantity of copper suitable for coining, and praying this legislature to grant him a right to coin copper, under such regulations as this assembly shall think meet; and this assembly being willing to encourage an undertaking that promises so much public utility, therefore: "Be it enacted and it is hereby enacted by the representatives of the freemen of the State of Vermont in general assembly met and by the authority of the same, that there by and hereby is granted to the said Reuben Harmon, Jr., Esq., the exclusive right of coining copper within this state for the term of two years from the first day of July, in the present year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-five; and all coppers by him coined shall be in pieces of one third of an ounce troy each, with such devices and mottoes as shall be agreed on by the committee appointed for that purpose by this assembly. "And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid that the said Reuben Harmon before he enter on the business of coining, or take any benefit of this act, shall enter into a bond of five thousand pounds, to the treasurer of the state, with two or more good and sufficient sureties, freeholders of this state, conditioned that all the copper by him coined as aforesaid, shall be a full weight as specified in this act, and that the same shall be made of good and genuine metal." The bill was passed on the same day. On June 16 the required financial bond was obtained. Harmon found that his coins, regulated to be the weight of one third ounce each, would be too heavy and would weigh more than contemporary pieces of halfpenny size circulating at that time throughout the United States. Accordingly, an amendment was passed on October 27, 1785, which stated: "Be it enacted and it is hereby enacted by the representatives of the freemen of the State of Vermont in general assembly met, and by the authority of the same; that all coppers coined by said Reuben Harmon, Jr., Esq. shall be of genuine copper in pieces weighing not less than four pennyweight fifteen grains each, and so much of the aforesaid act that regulates the weight of said coins is hereby repealed…"
Harmon and the Mint
Sylvester S. Crosby in Early Coins of America quotes a letter from B. H. Hall of Troy, New York, to Charles I. Bushnell, of New York City, dated March 3, 1855, which gives a brief biography of Harmon and tells of the mint: "Reuben Harmon, Jr. came from Suffield, Connecticut, in company with his father, Reuben Harmon, Sr., about the year 1768, and settled in the northeast part of Rupert, Vermont. He was a man of some note and influence while there. At a meeting of the inhabitants of the New Hampshire Grants held at Dorset, September 25, 1776, initiatory to the Declaration of Independence, Mr. Reuben Harmon [probably Jr.], was one of the representatives from Rupert. He was representative in the Vermont Legislature from Rupert in 1780, was justice of the peace from 1780 to 1790, and held several minor offices. In the year 1790 or thereabouts he left Rupert, for that part of the State of Ohio called New Connecticut, and there died long since. "His Mint House was located near the northeast corner of Rupert, a little east of the main road leading from Dorset to Pawlet, on a small stream of water called Millbrook, which empties into Pawlet River. It was a small building, about 16 by 18 feet, made of rough materials, sided with unplaned and unpainted boards. It is still standing, but its location and uses are entirely different from what they were originally. Its situation at present is on the border of the adjoining town of Pawlet whither it was long since removed, and what was once a coin house is now a corn house. "Col. William Cooley, who had worked at the goldsmith's trade in the city of New York, and who afterwards moved to Rupert, made the dies and assisted in striking the coin." The Buel Connection? The same correspondent wrote to Charles I. Bushnell on July 18, 1855, with additional information: "The sun dial, or 'Mind Your Business' copper coin, common in New England at the close of the last and at the commencement of the present century, was first manufactured by Abel Buel at New Haven, Connecticut, the original dies having been designed and cut by himself. Not long after this, his son William Buel, removed from the manufactory to the town of Rupert, Bennington County, Vermont, and in connection with a Mr. Harmon, established the mint house on what is now known as Millbrook. William had taken with him the original dies used by his father at New Haven, and continued at Rupert the coinage of the coppers above referred to, until the coin had depreciated so much in value as to be worthless or nearly so, for circulation. The remains of the dam which rendered the waters of Millbrook eligible are still to be seen, and pieces of copper and specimens of the old coin are still occasionally picked up on the site of the old mill and in the brook below." It is not known today whether 1787-dated Fugio coppers, referred to as the "Mind Your Business copper coin" above, were actually struck in Vermont, for the act which authorized Reuben Harmon, Jr. to strike coins specifically delineated the type of coins to be struck and provided strong penalties if there were deviations from those authorized. Eric P. Newman, writing "A Recently Discovered Coin Solves a Vermont Numismatic Enigma', in The Centennial Publication of the American Numismatic Society, New York, 1958, states that the opinion that Buel brought with him punches and tools but not coining dies. It was related that Abel Buel's son William had become involved in an altercation with Indians who accused Buel of killing one of their number. It seems that Buel had obtained from a druggist a quantity of acid, and upon returning to his residence with a jug of this substance he was approached by some Indians who wanted to drink what they thought was rum. Buel told them the jug contained acid and would poison them, but the Indians did not believe it. Taking the jug from Buel, one of them swallowed a substantial portion and died soon thereafter from the effects. Buel was then accused of killing the Indian, and in accordance with tradition the dead man's companions sought revenge in kind. To escape the situation Buel fled to Rupert, Vermont, a recently settled area distant from Connecticut. Abel Buel, William's father, was involved in a number of adventures, including the counterfeiting of paper currency.
The Vermont Mint
Julian Harmon, the grandson of Reuben Harmon, Jr., shed some further light on the early Vermont coiners in a letter dated June 4, 1855. He believed that Reuben Harmon, Jr. came to Vermont about 1760, having moved from Sandisfield, Massachusetts. He verified that William Buel of New Haven cut the dies and stated: "The mint house stood on Pawlet River, three rods from (Reuben Harmon, Jr.'s) house, a story and a half house, not painted, a furnace in one end for melting copper and rolling the bars, and in the other [west] end machinery for stamping, and in the center that for cutting. The stamping was done by means of an iron screw attached to heavy timbers above and moved by hand through the aid of ropes. Sixty per minute could be stamped, although 30 per minute was the usual number. William Buel assisted in striking the coins. Three persons were required for the purpose, one to place the copper, and two to swing the stamp. At first, the coins passed two for a penny, then four, then eight, when it ceased to pay expenses. The British imported so many of the 'Bungtown coppers,' which were of a much lighter color." It was further stated that Reuben Harmon, Jr., moved to Ohio about 1800 and engaged in the business of making salt at the Salt Spring Tract, in Wethersfield Township, Trumbull County, in which business he continued until his death on October 29, 1806, in his 56th year. Earlier, while in Vermont, Reuben Harmon, Jr. was a storekeeper in addition to his other activities. B.H. Hall, in a letter to Charles I. Bushnell, dated June 14, 1856, gave another view of the mint: "On the north side of Millbrook the 'old copper house' was first erected... From this location, in the town of Rupert, the "Mint House" was afterwards removed to and placed on the eastern bank of Pawlet River in the same town. Here it was also used for minting purposes. When the manufacture of coins was abolished, it was allowed to remain on Pawlet River for several years, but we could not learn to what uses it was put. Its third removal was to a spot north of the house of John Harwood, Esq., in the town of Rupert, on the east side of the main road. While here it was occupied as a residence by a family named Goff. It was again removed from its third location to a site nearly opposite, where it remained until its final journey which took place many years ago. This placed it on the farm of William Phelps about a mile north of John Harwood's residence in 'the edge' of the town of Pawlet. Here it stood until last winter, when it was blown down."
Description of Harmon's Coins
The first coins produced by Harmon had a scenic motif and portrayed on the obverse a typical Vermont rocky mountain ridge forested with pine trees. To the right a sun peeping over the ridge appeared. Surrounding was the legend VERMONTIS RES PUBLICA and the date 1785. This was the Latinization of "Vermont Republic." The translation of 'Vermont" into Latin was never standardized, so in 1785 and 1786 such varieties as the aforementioned I'VERMONTIS" were seen as well as such variations as "VERMONTS" and the lengthy "VERMONTENSIUM." On the lower part of the obverse was a plow, and beneath it, the date. The reverse depicted an all-seeing eye from which emanated 13 short rays, with a star above each, and 13 long rays. The legend STELLA QUARTA DECIMA ("the 14th star," a reference to Vermont's ambition to become the 14th state) surrounded. In 1786 it was decided that the Vermont coppers, being of a unique design not familiar to the citizens of Vermont or surrounding states, did not circulate as well as they would have if the design had been a more standard motif. Accordingly, new obverses and reverses were adopted. One style, known today as the Baby Head variety, depicted a boyish bust facing right, with the legend AUCTORI VERMON: ("by the authority of Vermont") surrounding. The reverse depicted the seated figure of a woman modeled after the familiar Britannia used on contemporary British issues. The legend INDE ET LIB (an abbreviation for "independence and liberty") surrounded. The date 1786 was below. It apparently was felt that this design, while closer to the familiar coppers in circulation than the sun-over-mountains, could be improved further, so later in 1786 a new style featuring the bust of King George II facing to the left, copied from contemporary British halfpennies, was introduced. The inscriptions related to Vermont, and the seated figure on the reverse was retained. In 1787 a new style was adopted; a bust of King George III facing to the right. The Vermont inscriptions were kept.
Harmon's Franchise Extended
The initial coining franchise was granted to Reuben Harmon, Jr., for a period of two years. Before the expiration, Harmon, on October 23, 1786, petitioned the General Assembly to extend the term on the grounds that it was too short to indemnify him for the great expense of erecting a factory acquiring machinery, and otherwise beginning the coinage of copper. On October 24, 1786, the franchise was extended. The design was officially modified, and following an initial period, Harmon was to pay a royalty for the coining privilege: "Be it enacted by the General Assembly in the State of Vermont that there be and hereby is granted and confirmed to the said Reuben Harmon, Jr., Esq., the exclusive right of coining copper within the state, for a further term of eight years from the first day of July, 1787; and that all copper by him coined shall be in pieces weighing not less than four pennyweight, fifteen grains each; and that the device for all coppers by him hereafter coined shall be, on the one side, a head with the motto 'Auctoritate Vermontensium, abridged, and on the reverse a woman with the lettering INDE: ET LIB:, for 'Independence and Liberty.' "And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid that the said Reuben shall have and enjoy the aforesaid privilege of coining coppers within the state free from any duty to this state as a compensation therefore, for the full term of three years from the first day of July, 1787; and from and after the expiration of said three the said Reuben shall pay for the use of this state two and one-half percent of all the copper he shall coin for and during the remainder of aforesaid term of eight years." It was further specified that appropriate bonds and guarantees were to be provided.
Machin's Mills
In 1787, Reuben Harmon, Jr., entered into a partnership with a number of other individuals involved in coinage. Ownership interest and connection was formed between the Vermont coining enterprises and Machin's Mills, a private mint, located on the shores of Orange County near Newburgh, New York. Machin's Mills was established by an agreement dated April 18, 1787, which united the interests of Samuel Atlee, James F. Atlee, David Brooks, James Grier, and James Giles, all of New York City, with Thomas Machin of Ulster County, New York. Capt. Thomas Machin was of English birth. Prior to the Revolution, he served as an officer with the British forces. During the war he entered the American Army as an engineer and in 1777 was employed by Congress to erect fortifications along the Hudson River and to stretch a chain across the river at West Point to prevent the passage of British ships beyond that point. Following the war, Machin located near Newburgh, New York where he erected buildings subsequently used for the coinage venture. It was provided that the profits from the coining enterprise should be split six ways, directly in proportion to the original stock which consisted of 300 pounds of capital, split into six shares valued at 50 pounds each. It was stated that Samuel Atlee and James F. Atlee "being possessed of certain implements for carrying on said trade, do agree to lend them to the parties to these presents for and during the continuance of their co-partnership without any fee or reward for the same." It was further provided that "Thomas Machin, being possessed of certain mills, doth hereby agree to let the parties have free use of them for and during the continuation of their co-partnership..." Brooks, Grier, and Giles agreed to pay an additional 10 pounds each toward readying Machin's Mills to make them suitable for coinage. The management was to be by James F. Atlee and Thomas Machin. On June 7, 1787, another agreement was drawn up. Ten partners participated, including the original six involved in the Machin's Mills enterprise, plus four others: Reuben Harmon, Jr., the Vermont coiner; William Coley (or Cooley), also of Vermont; Elias Jackson of Litchfield County, Connecticut; an Daniel Van Voorhis, a New York City goldsmith. It was noted in the agreement that Reuben Harmon, following obtaining the coinage privilege from the legislature of Vermont, had taken in William Coley, Elias Jackson and Daniel Van Voorhis as equal partners. Now it was intended to merge the interests of Machin's Mills with those of the Rupert, Vermont minters. It was proposed that coinage be conducted in two locations: Machin's Mills, then in the process of readying for coinage, and at Rupert, Vermont in the existing facilities there. Duties were divided among the various partners, with due provision being made for audits, settling accounts, and other business necessities.
Description of Machin's Mills
Machin's Mills was located on Orange Lake, which at one time was also called Machin's Pond. A new outlet, which provided water to a large extent for Chambers' Creek, was tapped, and at the outlet the minting structure was erected. Originally this outlet was an overflow for times of high water, the natural one being further west at a place called Pine Point. Charles I. Bushnell notified Sylvester S. Crosby as follows: "The mint house at Newburgh, Ulster County, New York, was situated on the east side of Machin's Lake or Pond, about one eighth of a mile distant from the pond. The building was erected in 1784 by Thomas Machin, and was still standing in 1792, at which time the rollers, press, and cutting machine were taken out. The coins were struck by means of a large bar loaded at each end with a 500-pound ball with ropes attached. "Two men were required on each side, making four in all to strike the pieces, besides the man to set the planchets. The metal of which the coins were struck was composed of old brass cannons and mortars, the zinc from the copper being extracted by smelting in a furnace. About 60 of the coins were struck a minute. The sloop Newburgh (Capt. Isaac Belknap) carried for a number of years the coining press as part ballast. The coins were made by James F. Atlee. Many of them bore on the obverse GEORGIUS III, and on the reverse INDE ET LIB. Others bore the figure of a plough on one side. The mint ceased operations in the year 1791." It was related that in the year 1789, 1,000 pounds of copper coins saw production. On October 14, 1790, James F. Atlee wrote to Thomas Machin to request that the partners dissolve the enterprise on suitable terms so as to avoid a tedious and expensive lawsuit.
Machin's Mills Coinage
Numismatists today believe that Machin's Mills coined a wide variety of coppers, probably anything that they thought could be circulated at a profit. Included were numerous counterfeits of contemporary British halfpennies. These bore on the obverse the portrait of George III with GEORGIUS III REX surrounding. The reverse depicted the seated figure of Britannia. At the same time it is virtually certain that pieces bearing legends relating to Connecticut, Vermont, New York, and possibly New Jersey were made as well. In some instances the dies were mixed, probably inadvertently, resulting in illogical combinations, such as a 1787 copper coin with a Vermont inscription on the obverse and with a reverse inscribed Britannia, a style intended for use on a counterfeit British halfpenny. The business of Machin's Mills was conducted with secrecy. A guard with a hideous mask was employed to frighten away the curious. In The History of Orange County, New York Eager noted that: "operations there, as they were conducted in secret, were looked upon at that time with suspicion, as illegal and wrong." To aid in their acceptance into commercial channels the counterfeit British halfpennies were struck from dies deliberately made to produce coins which looked weak, as if they had been in circulation for a long time. Presumably the coins were toned or darkened to aid in the deception. At the time, America, newly independent from England, probably had little official concern as to whether or not American citizens counterfeited British coins. It is possible that many 1787 Vermont coppers and most if not all of those dated 1788 were struck at Machin's Mills. Nearly all of these are lighter in weight than the earlier 1785-1786 issues, are less carefully engraved, and are often carelessly struck.
Summary of Vermont Coinage
The coinage of Vermont divides itself into a number of major categories. The first issues struck were those of the sun-over-mountains design and were made in 1785 and 1786. Then came the 1786 Baby Head with a young portrait facing right, a unique style. In the same year, 1786, and also in 1787, specimens with Vermont inscriptions but with the portrait of King George II facing to the left were made. In 1787 and 1788 the bulk of the coinage consisted of pieces bearing the portrait of King George III with Vermont inscriptions on both sides. In addition, a number of mulings, or die combinations, some quite irrelevant, were produced. A 1785 Immune Columbia obverse die was combined with a Vermont obverse die, undoubtedly at Machin's Mills circa 1788, to produce an illogical combination. As noted, a Vermont obverse die was combined with a reverse die with the legend BRITANNIA intended for a counterfeit British halfpenny. A counterpart to this was the piece which combined the obverse die of a counterfeit British halfpenny with a Vermont reverse die. Another production combined a George III obverse with the Immune Columbia obverse. In still another instance, a Vermont reverse die was used in combination with an obverse die pertaining to Connecticut. The Vermont copper coins struck in Rupert, the issues of 1785-1786 and the bust-left issue of 1787, were usually struck on imperfect planchets bearing many striae and fissures. Striking was irregular, with the result that Rupert-minted coins today often are weakly struck in certain areas while sharply defined in others. Well-centered, well-struck, sharply-defined pieces on perfect planchets are exceedingly rare. The 1787 and 1788 coinage, produced at Machin's Mills, consists primarily of lightweight pieces, usually with indistinct detail, not as a result of striking but purposely as a result of die preparation.
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Our Hosts have a wonderful writeup on the Vermonts, well worth a read!!
Coinage Authorized
Of the several states which issued copper coins during the 1780s the earliest was Vermont, an independent area which was not formally a state until its admittance to the Union in 1791. On June 10, 1785, Reuben Harmon, Jr., of Rupert, Bennington County, petitioned the House of Representatives for permission to produce coinage for Vermont. A committee consisting of Messrs. Tichenor, Strong, and Williams, with the addition of Ira Allen from the Legislative Council, was formed to consider the proposal. On June 15, 1785, a bill authorizing Reuben Harmon, Jr. to coin copper pieces was sent to the governor and Council for their consideration and possible amendment: "Whereas Reuben Harmon, Jr., Esq., of Rupert in the county of Bennington, by his petition has represented that he has purchased a quantity of copper suitable for coining, and praying this legislature to grant him a right to coin copper, under such regulations as this assembly shall think meet; and this assembly being willing to encourage an undertaking that promises so much public utility, therefore: "Be it enacted and it is hereby enacted by the representatives of the freemen of the State of Vermont in general assembly met and by the authority of the same, that there by and hereby is granted to the said Reuben Harmon, Jr., Esq., the exclusive right of coining copper within this state for the term of two years from the first day of July, in the present year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-five; and all coppers by him coined shall be in pieces of one third of an ounce troy each, with such devices and mottoes as shall be agreed on by the committee appointed for that purpose by this assembly. "And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid that the said Reuben Harmon before he enter on the business of coining, or take any benefit of this act, shall enter into a bond of five thousand pounds, to the treasurer of the state, with two or more good and sufficient sureties, freeholders of this state, conditioned that all the copper by him coined as aforesaid, shall be a full weight as specified in this act, and that the same shall be made of good and genuine metal." The bill was passed on the same day. On June 16 the required financial bond was obtained. Harmon found that his coins, regulated to be the weight of one third ounce each, would be too heavy and would weigh more than contemporary pieces of halfpenny size circulating at that time throughout the United States. Accordingly, an amendment was passed on October 27, 1785, which stated: "Be it enacted and it is hereby enacted by the representatives of the freemen of the State of Vermont in general assembly met, and by the authority of the same; that all coppers coined by said Reuben Harmon, Jr., Esq. shall be of genuine copper in pieces weighing not less than four pennyweight fifteen grains each, and so much of the aforesaid act that regulates the weight of said coins is hereby repealed…"
Harmon and the Mint
Sylvester S. Crosby in Early Coins of America quotes a letter from B. H. Hall of Troy, New York, to Charles I. Bushnell, of New York City, dated March 3, 1855, which gives a brief biography of Harmon and tells of the mint: "Reuben Harmon, Jr. came from Suffield, Connecticut, in company with his father, Reuben Harmon, Sr., about the year 1768, and settled in the northeast part of Rupert, Vermont. He was a man of some note and influence while there. At a meeting of the inhabitants of the New Hampshire Grants held at Dorset, September 25, 1776, initiatory to the Declaration of Independence, Mr. Reuben Harmon [probably Jr.], was one of the representatives from Rupert. He was representative in the Vermont Legislature from Rupert in 1780, was justice of the peace from 1780 to 1790, and held several minor offices. In the year 1790 or thereabouts he left Rupert, for that part of the State of Ohio called New Connecticut, and there died long since. "His Mint House was located near the northeast corner of Rupert, a little east of the main road leading from Dorset to Pawlet, on a small stream of water called Millbrook, which empties into Pawlet River. It was a small building, about 16 by 18 feet, made of rough materials, sided with unplaned and unpainted boards. It is still standing, but its location and uses are entirely different from what they were originally. Its situation at present is on the border of the adjoining town of Pawlet whither it was long since removed, and what was once a coin house is now a corn house. "Col. William Cooley, who had worked at the goldsmith's trade in the city of New York, and who afterwards moved to Rupert, made the dies and assisted in striking the coin." The Buel Connection? The same correspondent wrote to Charles I. Bushnell on July 18, 1855, with additional information: "The sun dial, or 'Mind Your Business' copper coin, common in New England at the close of the last and at the commencement of the present century, was first manufactured by Abel Buel at New Haven, Connecticut, the original dies having been designed and cut by himself. Not long after this, his son William Buel, removed from the manufactory to the town of Rupert, Bennington County, Vermont, and in connection with a Mr. Harmon, established the mint house on what is now known as Millbrook. William had taken with him the original dies used by his father at New Haven, and continued at Rupert the coinage of the coppers above referred to, until the coin had depreciated so much in value as to be worthless or nearly so, for circulation. The remains of the dam which rendered the waters of Millbrook eligible are still to be seen, and pieces of copper and specimens of the old coin are still occasionally picked up on the site of the old mill and in the brook below." It is not known today whether 1787-dated Fugio coppers, referred to as the "Mind Your Business copper coin" above, were actually struck in Vermont, for the act which authorized Reuben Harmon, Jr. to strike coins specifically delineated the type of coins to be struck and provided strong penalties if there were deviations from those authorized. Eric P. Newman, writing "A Recently Discovered Coin Solves a Vermont Numismatic Enigma', in The Centennial Publication of the American Numismatic Society, New York, 1958, states that the opinion that Buel brought with him punches and tools but not coining dies. It was related that Abel Buel's son William had become involved in an altercation with Indians who accused Buel of killing one of their number. It seems that Buel had obtained from a druggist a quantity of acid, and upon returning to his residence with a jug of this substance he was approached by some Indians who wanted to drink what they thought was rum. Buel told them the jug contained acid and would poison them, but the Indians did not believe it. Taking the jug from Buel, one of them swallowed a substantial portion and died soon thereafter from the effects. Buel was then accused of killing the Indian, and in accordance with tradition the dead man's companions sought revenge in kind. To escape the situation Buel fled to Rupert, Vermont, a recently settled area distant from Connecticut. Abel Buel, William's father, was involved in a number of adventures, including the counterfeiting of paper currency.
The Vermont Mint
Julian Harmon, the grandson of Reuben Harmon, Jr., shed some further light on the early Vermont coiners in a letter dated June 4, 1855. He believed that Reuben Harmon, Jr. came to Vermont about 1760, having moved from Sandisfield, Massachusetts. He verified that William Buel of New Haven cut the dies and stated: "The mint house stood on Pawlet River, three rods from (Reuben Harmon, Jr.'s) house, a story and a half house, not painted, a furnace in one end for melting copper and rolling the bars, and in the other [west] end machinery for stamping, and in the center that for cutting. The stamping was done by means of an iron screw attached to heavy timbers above and moved by hand through the aid of ropes. Sixty per minute could be stamped, although 30 per minute was the usual number. William Buel assisted in striking the coins. Three persons were required for the purpose, one to place the copper, and two to swing the stamp. At first, the coins passed two for a penny, then four, then eight, when it ceased to pay expenses. The British imported so many of the 'Bungtown coppers,' which were of a much lighter color." It was further stated that Reuben Harmon, Jr., moved to Ohio about 1800 and engaged in the business of making salt at the Salt Spring Tract, in Wethersfield Township, Trumbull County, in which business he continued until his death on October 29, 1806, in his 56th year. Earlier, while in Vermont, Reuben Harmon, Jr. was a storekeeper in addition to his other activities. B.H. Hall, in a letter to Charles I. Bushnell, dated June 14, 1856, gave another view of the mint: "On the north side of Millbrook the 'old copper house' was first erected... From this location, in the town of Rupert, the "Mint House" was afterwards removed to and placed on the eastern bank of Pawlet River in the same town. Here it was also used for minting purposes. When the manufacture of coins was abolished, it was allowed to remain on Pawlet River for several years, but we could not learn to what uses it was put. Its third removal was to a spot north of the house of John Harwood, Esq., in the town of Rupert, on the east side of the main road. While here it was occupied as a residence by a family named Goff. It was again removed from its third location to a site nearly opposite, where it remained until its final journey which took place many years ago. This placed it on the farm of William Phelps about a mile north of John Harwood's residence in 'the edge' of the town of Pawlet. Here it stood until last winter, when it was blown down."
Description of Harmon's Coins
The first coins produced by Harmon had a scenic motif and portrayed on the obverse a typical Vermont rocky mountain ridge forested with pine trees. To the right a sun peeping over the ridge appeared. Surrounding was the legend VERMONTIS RES PUBLICA and the date 1785. This was the Latinization of "Vermont Republic." The translation of 'Vermont" into Latin was never standardized, so in 1785 and 1786 such varieties as the aforementioned I'VERMONTIS" were seen as well as such variations as "VERMONTS" and the lengthy "VERMONTENSIUM." On the lower part of the obverse was a plow, and beneath it, the date. The reverse depicted an all-seeing eye from which emanated 13 short rays, with a star above each, and 13 long rays. The legend STELLA QUARTA DECIMA ("the 14th star," a reference to Vermont's ambition to become the 14th state) surrounded. In 1786 it was decided that the Vermont coppers, being of a unique design not familiar to the citizens of Vermont or surrounding states, did not circulate as well as they would have if the design had been a more standard motif. Accordingly, new obverses and reverses were adopted. One style, known today as the Baby Head variety, depicted a boyish bust facing right, with the legend AUCTORI VERMON: ("by the authority of Vermont") surrounding. The reverse depicted the seated figure of a woman modeled after the familiar Britannia used on contemporary British issues. The legend INDE ET LIB (an abbreviation for "independence and liberty") surrounded. The date 1786 was below. It apparently was felt that this design, while closer to the familiar coppers in circulation than the sun-over-mountains, could be improved further, so later in 1786 a new style featuring the bust of King George II facing to the left, copied from contemporary British halfpennies, was introduced. The inscriptions related to Vermont, and the seated figure on the reverse was retained. In 1787 a new style was adopted; a bust of King George III facing to the right. The Vermont inscriptions were kept.
Harmon's Franchise Extended
The initial coining franchise was granted to Reuben Harmon, Jr., for a period of two years. Before the expiration, Harmon, on October 23, 1786, petitioned the General Assembly to extend the term on the grounds that it was too short to indemnify him for the great expense of erecting a factory acquiring machinery, and otherwise beginning the coinage of copper. On October 24, 1786, the franchise was extended. The design was officially modified, and following an initial period, Harmon was to pay a royalty for the coining privilege: "Be it enacted by the General Assembly in the State of Vermont that there be and hereby is granted and confirmed to the said Reuben Harmon, Jr., Esq., the exclusive right of coining copper within the state, for a further term of eight years from the first day of July, 1787; and that all copper by him coined shall be in pieces weighing not less than four pennyweight, fifteen grains each; and that the device for all coppers by him hereafter coined shall be, on the one side, a head with the motto 'Auctoritate Vermontensium, abridged, and on the reverse a woman with the lettering INDE: ET LIB:, for 'Independence and Liberty.' "And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid that the said Reuben shall have and enjoy the aforesaid privilege of coining coppers within the state free from any duty to this state as a compensation therefore, for the full term of three years from the first day of July, 1787; and from and after the expiration of said three the said Reuben shall pay for the use of this state two and one-half percent of all the copper he shall coin for and during the remainder of aforesaid term of eight years." It was further specified that appropriate bonds and guarantees were to be provided.
Machin's Mills
In 1787, Reuben Harmon, Jr., entered into a partnership with a number of other individuals involved in coinage. Ownership interest and connection was formed between the Vermont coining enterprises and Machin's Mills, a private mint, located on the shores of Orange County near Newburgh, New York. Machin's Mills was established by an agreement dated April 18, 1787, which united the interests of Samuel Atlee, James F. Atlee, David Brooks, James Grier, and James Giles, all of New York City, with Thomas Machin of Ulster County, New York. Capt. Thomas Machin was of English birth. Prior to the Revolution, he served as an officer with the British forces. During the war he entered the American Army as an engineer and in 1777 was employed by Congress to erect fortifications along the Hudson River and to stretch a chain across the river at West Point to prevent the passage of British ships beyond that point. Following the war, Machin located near Newburgh, New York where he erected buildings subsequently used for the coinage venture. It was provided that the profits from the coining enterprise should be split six ways, directly in proportion to the original stock which consisted of 300 pounds of capital, split into six shares valued at 50 pounds each. It was stated that Samuel Atlee and James F. Atlee "being possessed of certain implements for carrying on said trade, do agree to lend them to the parties to these presents for and during the continuance of their co-partnership without any fee or reward for the same." It was further provided that "Thomas Machin, being possessed of certain mills, doth hereby agree to let the parties have free use of them for and during the continuation of their co-partnership..." Brooks, Grier, and Giles agreed to pay an additional 10 pounds each toward readying Machin's Mills to make them suitable for coinage. The management was to be by James F. Atlee and Thomas Machin. On June 7, 1787, another agreement was drawn up. Ten partners participated, including the original six involved in the Machin's Mills enterprise, plus four others: Reuben Harmon, Jr., the Vermont coiner; William Coley (or Cooley), also of Vermont; Elias Jackson of Litchfield County, Connecticut; an Daniel Van Voorhis, a New York City goldsmith. It was noted in the agreement that Reuben Harmon, following obtaining the coinage privilege from the legislature of Vermont, had taken in William Coley, Elias Jackson and Daniel Van Voorhis as equal partners. Now it was intended to merge the interests of Machin's Mills with those of the Rupert, Vermont minters. It was proposed that coinage be conducted in two locations: Machin's Mills, then in the process of readying for coinage, and at Rupert, Vermont in the existing facilities there. Duties were divided among the various partners, with due provision being made for audits, settling accounts, and other business necessities.
Description of Machin's Mills
Machin's Mills was located on Orange Lake, which at one time was also called Machin's Pond. A new outlet, which provided water to a large extent for Chambers' Creek, was tapped, and at the outlet the minting structure was erected. Originally this outlet was an overflow for times of high water, the natural one being further west at a place called Pine Point. Charles I. Bushnell notified Sylvester S. Crosby as follows: "The mint house at Newburgh, Ulster County, New York, was situated on the east side of Machin's Lake or Pond, about one eighth of a mile distant from the pond. The building was erected in 1784 by Thomas Machin, and was still standing in 1792, at which time the rollers, press, and cutting machine were taken out. The coins were struck by means of a large bar loaded at each end with a 500-pound ball with ropes attached. "Two men were required on each side, making four in all to strike the pieces, besides the man to set the planchets. The metal of which the coins were struck was composed of old brass cannons and mortars, the zinc from the copper being extracted by smelting in a furnace. About 60 of the coins were struck a minute. The sloop Newburgh (Capt. Isaac Belknap) carried for a number of years the coining press as part ballast. The coins were made by James F. Atlee. Many of them bore on the obverse GEORGIUS III, and on the reverse INDE ET LIB. Others bore the figure of a plough on one side. The mint ceased operations in the year 1791." It was related that in the year 1789, 1,000 pounds of copper coins saw production. On October 14, 1790, James F. Atlee wrote to Thomas Machin to request that the partners dissolve the enterprise on suitable terms so as to avoid a tedious and expensive lawsuit.
Machin's Mills Coinage
Numismatists today believe that Machin's Mills coined a wide variety of coppers, probably anything that they thought could be circulated at a profit. Included were numerous counterfeits of contemporary British halfpennies. These bore on the obverse the portrait of George III with GEORGIUS III REX surrounding. The reverse depicted the seated figure of Britannia. At the same time it is virtually certain that pieces bearing legends relating to Connecticut, Vermont, New York, and possibly New Jersey were made as well. In some instances the dies were mixed, probably inadvertently, resulting in illogical combinations, such as a 1787 copper coin with a Vermont inscription on the obverse and with a reverse inscribed Britannia, a style intended for use on a counterfeit British halfpenny. The business of Machin's Mills was conducted with secrecy. A guard with a hideous mask was employed to frighten away the curious. In The History of Orange County, New York Eager noted that: "operations there, as they were conducted in secret, were looked upon at that time with suspicion, as illegal and wrong." To aid in their acceptance into commercial channels the counterfeit British halfpennies were struck from dies deliberately made to produce coins which looked weak, as if they had been in circulation for a long time. Presumably the coins were toned or darkened to aid in the deception. At the time, America, newly independent from England, probably had little official concern as to whether or not American citizens counterfeited British coins. It is possible that many 1787 Vermont coppers and most if not all of those dated 1788 were struck at Machin's Mills. Nearly all of these are lighter in weight than the earlier 1785-1786 issues, are less carefully engraved, and are often carelessly struck.
Summary of Vermont Coinage
The coinage of Vermont divides itself into a number of major categories. The first issues struck were those of the sun-over-mountains design and were made in 1785 and 1786. Then came the 1786 Baby Head with a young portrait facing right, a unique style. In the same year, 1786, and also in 1787, specimens with Vermont inscriptions but with the portrait of King George II facing to the left were made. In 1787 and 1788 the bulk of the coinage consisted of pieces bearing the portrait of King George III with Vermont inscriptions on both sides. In addition, a number of mulings, or die combinations, some quite irrelevant, were produced. A 1785 Immune Columbia obverse die was combined with a Vermont obverse die, undoubtedly at Machin's Mills circa 1788, to produce an illogical combination. As noted, a Vermont obverse die was combined with a reverse die with the legend BRITANNIA intended for a counterfeit British halfpenny. A counterpart to this was the piece which combined the obverse die of a counterfeit British halfpenny with a Vermont reverse die. Another production combined a George III obverse with the Immune Columbia obverse. In still another instance, a Vermont reverse die was used in combination with an obverse die pertaining to Connecticut. The Vermont copper coins struck in Rupert, the issues of 1785-1786 and the bust-left issue of 1787, were usually struck on imperfect planchets bearing many striae and fissures. Striking was irregular, with the result that Rupert-minted coins today often are weakly struck in certain areas while sharply defined in others. Well-centered, well-struck, sharply-defined pieces on perfect planchets are exceedingly rare. The 1787 and 1788 coinage, produced at Machin's Mills, consists primarily of lightweight pieces, usually with indistinct detail, not as a result of striking but purposely as a result of die preparation.
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