Vermont Copper Coins

Ron Guth: The Vermont coinage started out in 1785 while Vermont was still a Republic (it became the 14^th American colony in 1777 and the 14^th American State in 1791). The first coins bore an image of the Green Mountains with the sun rising behind, and a plow below. The reverse features an all-seeing eye within rays of glory, similar to the design on the Nova Constellatio copper coins. The Latin legend reads QUARTA DECIMA STELLA, which translates to “14^th Star”, indicating its place among the American colonies.

Another edition combines a Bust type Vermont obverse with a 1785 Immune Columbia reverse – a most unusual combination that may have been made later than 1785.

One of the more interesting varieties is the 1786 “Baby Head”, on which the ribbons of the wreath are place so low that they appear to be tying a baby’s bib instead.

The 1787 BRITANNIA reverse was an attempt to mimic British copper coins in an attempt to ensure acceptance of the coins in regular circulation, where British coins were still plentiful despite the fact that America had already become independent.

There are forty different die varieties in the Vermont Copper series, one of which is a contemporary counterfeit and another that is of questionable authenticity. Many of the varieties are extremely rare, so the prospects of completing a set of all of the die varieties are slim, indeed. Also, Vermont Copper circulated heavily, so finding high-grade examples on decent planchets is quite difficult. However, if you are looking for a real numismatic challenge, you will find it here in the coinage of Vermont.