THE SCIENCE OF COINS.

RELAITON OF NUMISMATICS TO HISTORY AND EDUCATION.

Coins of the Early Colonies in North America.

THESE are known among numismatists under the general term “Colonials,” and to each issue there is attached very considerable historic interest.  

The brass pieces of money designated at “Sommer Island Brass, were, it has been conclusively proven, the first coins manufactured in the English provinces of North America.  The date of their issue and history of their coinage has never been definitively ascertained or established, although there is reason to believe that they were in circulation as money as early as the year 1616.  John Smith, Governor of Virginia, in his history relates that Sir George Sommer was shipwrecked upon the Bermudas, or Sommer Island, in 1612, and that four years later, when Daniel Tucker arrived to take command as Governor of these islands, there was found in circulation a certain kind of brass money, with a “hogge” on one side.  The islands were overrun with wild animals of this breed, and its effigy seems to have been accepted as the natural and proper symbol.  The Sommer Island “brass” or “shilling” has on one side a hog, of what is now known as the “razor-back” species, in the center, with “XII.” above the figure, and these are surrounded with a beaded circle; exterior and around this is the legend, “Sommer Island.”  On the reverse side is a ship of that day, with canvas spread and a flag flying from each mast-head, a beaded circle nearly surrounding the effigy about the edge of the piece.

The sixpence of Sommer Island is about half the size of the shilling, and an exact counterpart of the larger coin, with the exception of the VI., instead of XII., surmounts the swine symbol.  Only three of the shillings and one sixpence are known to be in existence.  The shilling piece has been imitated.  Of course, none of the genuine coins are in the market; they are priceless in value.

The New England shilling, sixpence and threepence were the first silver coins made in America.  They were thin planchets of silver, having N. E. stamped on the top or near the edge of one side. and the denomination, XII., VI., III., made with a stamp upon the reverse.  The authority for this coinage was granted in 1652, and it was soon after followed by an emission of the Pine Tree money of like values, and the Oak Tree money of similar varieties in denominations to which was added the twopence piece.  On the obverse side of these coins there is, relatively, a pine or an oak tree in the center, around which is a beaded circle with the legend, Masathvsets in, and yet another beaded circle surrounding this.  The reverse bears the figures 1652, with XII., VI., III., or II., according to the size of the coin, in the center, with a beaded circle about the figures.  New England, An: Dom. is the legend and on the edge of the piece is still another circle of beads.  Although this coinage was continuously struck for thirty years the coins seem to have been produced from the same dies or duplicates of the originals, for they all bear the same date, “1652.”

Of Copper “Colonials” the Granby or Higley Coppers are classed as the first coins of that metal manufactured in America.  They were made by a John Higley, at the town of Granby, in Connecticut, from 1737 to 1739, inclusive.  There are three different varieties of this coin.  On each issue the obverse is identical; a deer standing in the center, below the figured animal, III., with a star on one side and a hand, forefinger pointed, on the other, and around the piece the legend: “Value Me As You Please.”  The reverse of one variety consists of three hammers, crowned about them around a circle, the word Connecticut, a star and 1737.  Another reverse bears the three crowned hammers, with, as legend: “I Am Good Copper,” a hand, some dots, or single beads fancifully arranged, and 1737.  The third variety has a broad-axe, with. outside the circle, a hand and the words: “I Cut My Way Through,” a beaded circle surrounding this legend; some few of these last also have the date 1739 upon them.  All these Granby or Higley coppers are quite rare, and when genuine and in a satisfactory condition they bring a high price.  It is alleged that years ago the fineness of the quality of copper from which they were made caused them to be much sought after as an alloy for gold, and their use for this purpose may, in part, account for their present great scarcity.

Among the early American colonials the money of Maryland, issued while that province was under the proprietorship of Cecil, the second Lord Baltimore, is entitled to rank with original colonial coins.  In that day and province tobacco was given and received as a common article of exchange; furs were also made use of to some extent in payment of debts, and so also were powder and shot or lead.  On one occasion his lordship quieted and settled with his mutinous soldiers, clamorous for their pay, by handing over beef cattle in lieu of coin.  At a subsequent time, when a tax was levied upon the people of several of the counties for a particular purpose, it was paid in the above named products of the earth and the animal kingdom; to obviate the inconvenience of these media of exchange, the proprietor had dies prepared in London for striking a silver coinage of shillings, sixpences and groats.  But a comparatively small number of each of these pieces were struck, fewer of the groats than the others, and genuine specimens of any are very rarely in the market.  All the pieces have, on the obverse, a bust of Lord Baltimore, draped, looking to the left.  Legend: Cœcilius Duo: Terræ Mariæ &ct. †.  On the reverse: a Jozenged shield, surmounted by a crown, and dividing the numerals XII., VI. and IV., with legend: Crescite, et multiplicamini.

There is also in existence a copper piece, supposed to be unique, and evidently in value a penny.  The obverse of this is similar to the silver coins; the reverse bears a ducal coronet, with two pennants flying. Legend: Denarium Terræ Mariæ.

In the year 1783 a goldsmith of Annapolis, named I. Chalmers, issued silver tokens of three denomination: shilling, sixpence and threepence.  The shilling’s obverse has two hands clasped, encircled by a wreath. Legend: I. Chalmers, Annapolis.  Reverse: a circle of beads is divided by a horizontal bar; above the bar, and within the circle, is a serpent, and below the dividing line two doves figure vis-a-vis, holding a branch in their beak.  Legend: One Shilling, 1783.  The sixpence has a five-pointed star within a wreath for the obverse, and the legend: I. Chalmers, Annapolis; on the reverse, a long cross, two arms terminating in stars and two in crescents, a lead in each angle, and for legend: I. C., Sixpence, 1783.  The threepence has clasped hands and legend: I. Chalmers, Annap’s * on its obverse, and wreath-encircled branch or bush, with legend: Three * pence, 1783, upon the reverse.

The Chalmers shilling is as rare as the sixpence, and the groat (or threepence) is quite as scarce as the sixpence.

Another private token in silver is sometimes called the “Baltimore Town Piece.”  Its obverse carries a head, facing left, in a circle, with legend: Baltimore Town, July 4, 1790; reverse, threepence, underscored, within a circle, and legend: Standish Barry.

Mark Newby coppers were brought from Ireland by a settler of the name given the coins, and in 1682 the Colonial Legislature of New Jersey passed a law authorizing the circulation of the pieces as money.  They are of two sizes, the effigy on the obverse of both being the same—King Charles the First, in the character of King David, kneeling and playing upon a harp; above the harp is a crown, with a piece of brass inserted in it; legend, Floreat Rex.  The larger piece has for its reverse St. Patrick, standing, holding a trefoil or shamrock in his right hand and a crozier in his left.  He wears a mitre; at one side of him several figures appear, persons who are receiving his blessing.  At his left is a shield, with the coat of arms of the city of Dublin.  The legend is, Ecce Grex.

The small coin of Mark Newby has on its reverse St. Patrick, standing, in his left hand a double cross, and the right hand is extended; snakes and other reptiles are fleeing from him; on his right is a church.  The legend, Qviescat Plebs.  A few of the smaller size are found in silver.  But in either metal they are very scarce, and usually much worn by circulation.

Of the coins mentioned above the following named are constantly or occasionally in the market, and when obtainable they bring about the figures quoted below:

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