Post-1776 States Coinage

About Post-1776 States Coinage

Choose a Coin Type:

Obverse of Connecticut Copper — Connecticut Copper Coins (1785-1788)

Reverse of Connecticut Copper — Connecticut Copper Coins (1785-1788)

Obverse of 1787 Brasher Doubloon — Brasher Gold Coins (1787)

Reverse of 1787 Brasher Doubloon — Brasher Gold Coins (1787)

Obverse of 1787 New York Excelsior Copper — New York Copper Coins (1786-1787)

Reverse of 1787 New York Excelsior Copper — New York Copper Coins (1786-1787)

Obverse of New Jersey Copper — New Jersey Copper Coins (1786-1788)

Reverse of New Jersey Copper — New Jersey Copper Coins (1786-1788)

Obverse of Vermont Copper — Vermont Copper Coins (1785-1788)

Reverse of Vermont Copper — Vermont Copper Coins (1785-1788)

Ron Guth: This section includes purely American coins, all issued between 1785 and 1788 in the newly formed states of Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Vermont. All of the coins, except for the Brasher Half Doubloon and Doubloon were made of copper, primarily due to the want of small-value coins in circulation.

Connecticut Coppers were made over a period of four years from 1785 to 1788, inclusive. This area is of great interest to variety collectors because of the many different styles, die-cutting errors, and overdates included in the series. Individual die varieties number in the hundreds, many are unique or very rare, and some have been discovered (or re-discovered) in recent years. On the other hand, many other varieties are very common, and this area is rich with opportunities for the collector.

Brasher gold coins include the unique Half Doubloon (in the Smithsonian Institution) and the very rare gold "doubloons." Brasher was a New York goldsmith who not only created his own coins, but who also "regulated" (adjusted the weight of -- usually upwards) foreign gold coins found in America. His distinctive "EB" punch can be found on all of his coins and on those regulated by him; they are all eagerly sought after, and his doubloons are among the most valuable of all U.S. coins.

New York Copper coins include a variety of design types. They are all so rare that some experts consider them to be pattern issues.

New Jersey Coppers feature a horse's head and plow design taken from the state's official seal. As with the Connecticut Coppers, this series abounds with interesting die varieties, common and rare.

Vermont Coppers include both landscape and bust types, issued from 1785 to 1788 in America's fourteenth state. This series is smaller than the runs of Connecticut and New Jersey Coppers, and it includes many varieties that are interesting, rare, and attractive. One variety even combines a Connecticut obverse with a Vermont reverse, indicating the close relationship between the producers of these coins.