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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.
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.
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.
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. Eight obverse dies and five reverse dies in 15 combinations have been recorded. They are found dated 1737, 1739, and without a date. They are extremely rare. Only a small number of coppers survive, likely between 60 and 80, and are primarily heavily worn (grades Good to Fine).
On all eight obverse dies, there is a deer along with an inscription. Early versions were inscribed with "THE VALUE OF THREE PENCE". Later versions were inscribed "VALUE ME AS YOU PLEASE". 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. Another version was inscribed "THE WHEELE GOES ROUND".
The reverse of the coin has three hammers, topped with crowns. Three different inscriptions have been found: "CONNECTICVT", "I AM GOOD COPPER", and "J CUT MY WAY THROUGH".
