I used to collect colonial coins. I got to the point that I could not afford to do it anymore. I think I can probably list all the colonials I have owned:
Fugio, PCGS VG10 Fugio, Raised Rim, G-6 Raw Fugio, G-6, Raw Woods Hibernia Farthing, Dei Gratia. Rex, Raw-XF (Very nice for the grade) Undated Double-Headed Washington Cent, Raw-VF35 Draped Bust Washington, Button, PCGS VF35 Draped Bust Washington, No Button, PCGS VF25 (quite scarce) 1795 Washington Grate, Large Buttons, PCGS XF40 1783 Large Military Bust, Raw VF+
I didn't have the kind of collection that most colonial collectors have. At this point all I have is the VG10 Fugio. I really enjoy learning about the history of these coins. They are so interesting, and each one is truly unique. You don't find two colonials that look the same. Even in the same grade, they are very different. I guess this is due to the variation of planchets, striking pressure, stock quality, etc. I think it makes for a very interesting series, and a bugger to complete!
I stopped collecting them because I really couldn't afford to. I focused on Washingtonia mostly, and I ran out of cheep ones!
Two of the most successful series of coins in the English speaking colonies, the Massachusetts silver.
The Mass. two pence:
And the small planchet Mass. Pine Tree shilling:
And one of the coinages that failed, the Rosa Americana half penny.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
I have several colonials that I either purchased or traded for years ago. They are really a cool coin to hold in your hand and to think about them being spent when our country was being founded or several years later.
I just returned home from spending the day at George Washington's Mount Vernon estate. It was my second time visiting there. He was not perfect - but nonetheless a remarkable and interesting man. Mount Vernon provides a glimpse at how a wealthy and very successful Virginian lived in the second half of the 18th century.
It was cool to see a small selection of colonial era coins - foreign pieces and state coppers - in 2x2s for sale in a case in one of the gift shops. They were asking a lot for them and I didn't buy any. But still nice to see...and while I was standing there, two kids came up to look at them - apparently two brothers. The younger one was clearly fascinated by the old coins.
The "PLUS SIGN" is probably acceptable, TD. I'm not so sure about the ONE. >>
How 'bout 1+ ???????
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
So many subjects on this thread, it's hard to figure out where to jump in. But with respect to the counterfeit point, one the great modern collectors of Colonial Coins gives a speech about currency during the 17th and 18th century whose title is "It's Was a Bullion World". During the 17th and 18th Century, for any significant commerce transaction, the only thing people cared about were the weight and metalic content or finesness of a coin. It really did not matter if it was Spanish or French or English....whether is was an official or unofficial issue...what mattered was that it was gold or silver of the proper weight and fineness of the coin it was purporting to be.
The whole point of an Ephram Brasher or Standish Barry countermark or hallmark was that each of these Silversmiths weighed and tested the fineness of the coin is question (independent of whether it was Spanish or an official issue) and deemed it appropriate for the official coin it was purporting to be. If not, they would make a hole in the coin, plug it with enough of gold to make it full weight and fineness and stamp it as official. These coins are referred to as a Regulated Gold (not counterfeit). Absent the hallmark, it was not regulated and could be counterfeit and it was anyone's guess as to whether it was full weight.
It is my understanding that most of the shanannigans happened in every day commerce. Underweight counterfeit copper coins or overstrikes. Eight reals being cut into nine pieces, mass silver being trimmed and so on.
Might jump in latter on some of the other points mentioned.
Comments
Fugio, PCGS VG10
Fugio, Raised Rim, G-6 Raw
Fugio, G-6, Raw
Woods Hibernia Farthing, Dei Gratia. Rex, Raw-XF (Very nice for the grade)
Undated Double-Headed Washington Cent, Raw-VF35
Draped Bust Washington, Button, PCGS VF35
Draped Bust Washington, No Button, PCGS VF25 (quite scarce)
1795 Washington Grate, Large Buttons, PCGS XF40
1783 Large Military Bust, Raw VF+
I didn't have the kind of collection that most colonial collectors have. At this point all I have is the VG10 Fugio. I really enjoy learning about the history of these coins. They are so interesting, and each one is truly unique. You don't find two colonials that look the same. Even in the same grade, they are very different. I guess this is due to the variation of planchets, striking pressure, stock quality, etc. I think it makes for a very interesting series, and a bugger to complete!
I stopped collecting them because I really couldn't afford to. I focused on Washingtonia mostly, and I ran out of cheep ones!
I wish I had pics for you.
The Mass. two pence:
And the small planchet Mass. Pine Tree shilling:
And one of the coinages that failed, the Rosa Americana half penny.
<< <i>Can we still say +1 on here???
The "PLUS SIGN" is probably acceptable, TD. I'm not so sure about the ONE.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
Lafayette Grading Set
It was cool to see a small selection of colonial era coins - foreign pieces and state coppers - in 2x2s for sale in a case in one of the gift shops. They were asking a lot for them and I didn't buy any. But still nice to see...and while I was standing there, two kids came up to look at them - apparently two brothers. The younger one was clearly fascinated by the old coins.
Made me smile.
<< <i>
<< <i>Can we still say +1 on here???
The "PLUS SIGN" is probably acceptable, TD. I'm not so sure about the ONE.
How 'bout 1+ ???????
So many subjects on this thread, it's hard to figure out where to jump in. But with respect to the counterfeit point, one the great modern collectors of Colonial Coins gives a speech about currency during the 17th and 18th century whose title is "It's Was a Bullion World". During the 17th and 18th Century, for any significant commerce transaction, the only thing people cared about were the weight and metalic content or finesness of a coin. It really did not matter if it was Spanish or French or English....whether is was an official or unofficial issue...what mattered was that it was gold or silver of the proper weight and fineness of the coin it was purporting to be.
The whole point of an Ephram Brasher or Standish Barry countermark or hallmark was that each of these Silversmiths weighed and tested the fineness of the coin is question (independent of whether it was Spanish or an official issue) and deemed it appropriate for the official coin it was purporting to be. If not, they would make a hole in the coin, plug it with enough of gold to make it full weight and fineness and stamp it as official. These coins are referred to as a Regulated Gold (not counterfeit). Absent the hallmark, it was not regulated and could be counterfeit and it was anyone's guess as to whether it was full weight.
It is my understanding that most of the shanannigans happened in every day commerce. Underweight counterfeit copper coins or overstrikes. Eight reals being cut into nine pieces, mass silver being trimmed and so on.
Might jump in latter on some of the other points mentioned.
Best,
nova caesarea