Dumb question - what exactly is a colonial?

g097103 · December 17, 2003 12:34PM

My instincts are to say it is a coin minted prior to our independence. Is that correct or is there more to it than that?

I have to admit to being rather taken with a lot of the early coins, they intrigue me. Particularly how would a coin from one area spend in another? Was there a system in place or was it pure metal content, I feel a trip to the library coming on.

relayer · December 17, 2003 12:37PM

Coins that were in circulation during colonial times, prior to the establishment of the US Mint

airplanenut · December 17, 2003 12:37PM

Generally they refer to the state issues when were were under the Articles of Confederation... they are mostly dated 1786-1788, with the most common states being CT, MA, NJ, and NY.

g097103 · December 17, 2003 12:40PM

Thanks.

Dog97 · December 17, 2003 1:00PM

A colonial is a Southern gentleman that fries chickens. Like Colonial Sanders fried chickens @ KFC & made a million dollars.

Russ · December 17, 2003 1:03PM

This is a Colonial (I think):

My one and only.

Russ, NCNE

Dog97 · December 17, 2003 1:10PM

No, this is a colonial.

abuell · December 17, 2003 2:17PM

This is a tough question and one that is open to different interpretations. If one takes it to include everything that was in circulation prior to the formation of the Federal mint it would just about include everything that was in circulation anywhere in the world at that time and certainly would have to begin with Spanish silver. Generally collectors set the parameters at what is included in the Redbook adding in British made counterfeit halfpence. I personally define colonial and confederation coinage as those issues which were minted in what is now the USA prior to 1792. For a very good discussion of this and many other topics related to American colonial and confederation coinage please feel free to join the colonial-coins egroup. link

Coulport · December 17, 2003 2:27PM

I thought it was one of those guys with the triangular hats.

Dumb question - what exactly is a colonial?

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