Higley copper

Obverse of a Highley copper depicting a deer and the inscription THE VALUE OF THREE PENCE

Higley coppers (or Granby coppers) were privately issued colonial American token coins produced by Samuel Higley and his brother John Higley of Granby, Connecticut between 1737 and 1739. The Higley coppers were some of the first coins produced in America.

Background

There was a constant shortage of coinage in British America, with most trade and commerce being conducted through bartering and credit. Coins were still important in American commerce, however mostly foreign coins circulated, with the silver Spanish dollar and copper British halfpenny used commonly in transactions. Prior to the American Revolution, a small number of local private mints struck unofficial coins.

History

Samuel Higley operated a copper mine on property he purchased in 1728 near what is now East Granby, Connecticut. Along with his brother John, he smelted the copper ore, designed and engraved the dies, and struck the tokens from pure copper. Four obverse types (eight dies) and four reverse types (five dies) in 15 combinations have been recorded by Freidus. They are found dated 1737, 1739, and without a date. Only a small number of coppers survive, making them extremely rare; Freidus records 63 examples. They are primarily heavily worn (grades Good to Fine). Since most Higley Coppers are double struck, researchers believe that the hammer method rather than a screw press was used to make them. These coins were approximately the size of a US Large cent.

Obverse design

On three of the obverse types, there is a deer along with an inscription. Early versions were inscribed with "THE VALVE OF THREE PENCE", with a pointing hand. Later versions were inscribed "VALVE ME AS YOU PLEASE" or "VALUE ME AS YOU PLEASE" with a pointing hand, roman numeral three and a star. The change was likely due to the reluctance of local merchants to accept a threepence value for a coin no larger than an English halfpenny. The new inscription left it up to the local economy to set its own value. A fourth type includes a wheel surrounded by the legend "THE WHEELE GOES ROUND".

Reverse design

Two reverse types include three hammers, topped with crowns. One has the inscription "CONNECTICVT 1737"; the other "I AM GOOD COPPER 1737". Two reverse types include a broadaxe. One is inscribed "J CUT MY WAY THROUGH"; the other "J CUT MY WAY THROUGH 1739".

See also

References

  1. Bowers, Q. David (2016). A Guide Book of the United States Mint. Pelham, AL: Whitman Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7948-4397-7.
    1. 1 2 p. 14
    2. ↑ p. 1–2
    3. ↑ p. 5–7
    4. ↑ p. 19
  2. ↑ Mackendrick, Russ (May 22, 1977). "NUMISMATICS: With no value specified". The New York Times. p. 102. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Freidus, Daniel (October 29, 1994). "The History and Die Varieties of the Higley Coppers". In Doty, Richard (ed.). The Token: America's Other Money. ANS. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 "Higley Copper (1737-1739) Value Guide | Stack's Bowers Galleries". Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Higley Copper Coins: Connecticut's Rare, Exciting and Historic Penny". January 31, 2019.
  6. ↑ Yeoman, R. S. (2023). A guide book of United States coins (76 ed.). Whitman Publishing.
  7. ↑ Carter, John. "The Higley Copper and Copper Mining in Connecticut". Retrieved October 20, 2026.
  8. ↑ Kuhl, Ken; Neighbor (April 5, 2011). "Samuel Higley Mined and Minted America's First Coins". Granby-East Granby, CT Patch. Retrieved October 20, 2026.
  9. ↑ Pilitowski, Tom. "1737 Higley 3P Value Me NGC VF25 BN - Higley Copper". US Rare Coin Investments. Retrieved October 20, 2026.

Sources