Interesting colonial coin copies/counterfeits...

cmerlo1

I bought these yesterday from a dealer who had them labeled 'British penny copies'. I recognized them as a Virginia halfpenny and a Connecticut copper. The dealer was half right- they are copies. Based on areas where the 'copper' color has flaked off, I'd say they were lead or some kind of pot metal. The word 'COPY' is not present, and they look quite old. Based on the Redbook, both are of better varieties- the Virginia is the 'no period' variety and the Connecticut is the 'small head facing right' type. Can anyone provide more information as to what these are and why they were made? Are the electrotypes or something else (I'm not very familiar with elecrotypes)?

cmerlo1

Bump for the AM crowd...

Insider2

Great buy! Sometimes these were made as counterfeits to fool collectors and sometimes they were made by museums for study. These appear to be the former yet they are very collectible. I've paid as much as $30 for similar examples and I felt that I stole them at that price.

AMRC

Pretty sad that they did not even use copper.

CaptHenway

WHat are the edges like?

coindeuce

I believe the Connecticut is technically considered Post Colonial State coinage by reason of the date of 1783. After the Declaration of Independence in 1776, all of the former colonies regarded themselves as United States of America.

cmerlo1

@CaptHenway said:
WHat are the edges like?

Smooth. In a few places I can see what might be a seam.

CaptHenway

Thanks

coinsarefun

The first one appears to be an electrotype as in the second pic you can see a partial seam.
Second one could be also, or a cast copy. but my gut tells me they are both electrotypes.
Nice pickups!!