AMERICAN GUIDE TO U.S. COINS 1996 [Paperback]

Charles French (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1995

A comprehensive coin guide with an extensive section on coin collection history features information on speculation, selling, and caring for coins and covers Early American coins, Civil War tokens, gold and silver dollars, commemorative coins, and more. 20,000 first printing.

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About the Author

Before his death, Charles F. French was a professional numismatist, a charter member of the Professional Numismatist Guild, and a member of the American Numismatic Society. He also belonged to many regional numismatic groups and was the president of the Empire State Numismatic Association. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Chapter One: Early American Coins

Were we to transport ourselves back three and a half centuries to the early days of Colonial America, we would find that industry was very small and that business, for the most part, was conducted by barter and trade. While there was a need for coins, the shortage was not as problematic as it proved to be later, when Colonial America became more industrialized and began acquiring wealth. Even so, attempts to issue coins were made.

The first New England coins -- crude silver pieces with a simple "NE" design on the obverse, and the denomination indicated as "XII," "VI," or "III" on the reverse -- were the first coins struck in the Colonies. Shortage of change and the inability to get relief from England prompted the Massachusetts Colony to embark upon this coining venture.

Following quickly came the Willow, Oak, and Pine Tree series. Some found use in circulation, for in those days a coin was a coin regardless of who issued it, and the amount of metal it contained determined its value. The famous Pine Tree coinage, a shilling of which is depicted on page 85, was the last type in this four design series struck by coiner John Hull.

After several years, when the coining operations were brought to the attention of King Charles II of England, action was taken to prohibit any further issues. While the majority were dated 1652, it is generally acknowledged that the production of the four design types collectively spanned thirty years, despite the King's disapproval. These crude and early pieces are actively sought by collectors and bring good prices today. They were coined in shillings, sixpence, threepence, and twopence pieces.

There were other very early experiments in coinage in other Colonies. The Mark Newby farthing and halfpenny, struck in Dublin in the 1670s, were originally coined for Ireland but found their way to New Jersey. There were also the Lord Baltimore pieces for Maryland, which were coined in England and brought over for circulation here. Other seventeenth-century coins which circulated in the Colonies include the American Plantations token and the Elephant tokens.

After these early attempts, we find little coining activity until the first part of the eighteenth century, when a small flurry again occurred. The Gloucester tokens of 1714, the Woods Hibernia series and Rosa Americana coins of 1722 through 1724 are among the issues of this period. There were also the early French Colony copper and billon coinages. With the exception of the Gloucester tokens, of which little is known, the rest were struck in foreign lands and shipped here for use, due to the dire need. The Higley, or Granby, coppers of 1737-39 saw considerable circulation, even though they were unauthorized and coined on this continent.

A gap of just over twenty years without any significant additional colonial coinage production ended in 1760 with the Voce Populi coinage. The 1766 Pitt tokens and 1767 French Colony pieces followed shortly thereafter.

The next and most important era commenced around the time of the beginning of the American Revolution. From this time until the opening of the first United States Mint, in 1792-93, we find innumerable varieties and experiments -- in fact, all types of coins. Some received recognition and actually circulated. Others should be classified as pattern or experimental pieces.

State Coinage

As early as 1776, New Hampshire struck coppers. The paltry number of survivors from this issue are all very well worn and, therefore, these pieces must have seen considerable circulation. Vermont issued many varieties of coppers from 1785 through 1788, and they were actively used in circulation. Although New York apparently did not officially authorize the production of coinage, a number of copper coins are attributed to this colony. Some of these coins could be considered experimental pieces while others actually circulated. The state of Connecticut probably had the most active coinage system from 1785 through 1788. Massachusetts went into regular coinage production during 1787 and 1788. New Jersey issued a wide variety of coppers from 1786 through 1788. An issue of copper halfpennies was authorized for Virginia in 1773 while still an English colony.

Experimental Pieces and Tokens

During the time of the American Revolution, a wide variety of experimental coins or tokens appeared. In this group, we find the so-called Continental dollars of 1776 struck in pewter, brass, and silver. The Immune Columbia pieces, the Confederatio coppers, and Brasher's experimental pieces are also among such issues. Belonging here, too, are the U.S.A. Bar cents, Mott tokens, Talbot, Allum, and Lee tokens, Auctori Plebis tokens, Kentucky tokens, Myddleton tokens, North American tokens, Pitt tokens, Rhode Island Ship tokens, and Franklin Press tokens.

Washington Pieces

Now we come to what may be the forerunners of our first regular coinage, the Washington pieces. George Washington's great popularity at the end of the American Revolution made it natural to want to copy the practice of foreign nations and place the head of the ruler on the obverse of the coin. Since there was no "ruler" of the United States, the president was the logical equivalent. If this practice had been accepted and carried out to the present day, we would have had a change in coin design with each president. The bust or head of each president would have appeared on our coins while he was in office. This would have been an interesting series for coin collectors, but the many changes might very possibly have confused our coinage. (This frequent changing of coin designs did not occur in kingdoms, for the rulers generally reigned for life.)

Therefore, the practice of using Washington's head was discarded and the Liberty Head designs were adopted. Many of the designs from the Washington pieces, however, were later utilized at least in part. The reverse of the Unity cents coinage of 1783 is almost identical to the reverse design that appears on the wreath-type cents of 1793 and the following years. The eagle on the reverse of the various Washington cents and half dollars is very similar to the eagle adopted for the reverse of our silver coins. Similarly, the designs of the half disme, disme, Birch cent, and silver-center cents are almost identical to the designs adopted on our coins of 1793.

You will notice that all of the above were coinages designed to fill the need for minor coins as these were the sizes that were needed most. Business requirements in larger transactions were carried on in gold Spanish-American doubloons and their fractions, English guineas, and even French louis d'or. Silver requirements were largely met by the masses of one-, two-, four-, and eight-real coins of Spanish America.

Copyright © 2003 by Simon & Schuster, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Fireside (July 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 068480333X
• ISBN-13: 978-0684803333
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,654,889 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Reference, September 6, 2000

By 

Robert (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 2000 AMERICAN GUIDE TO U.S. COINS (Paperback)

This book is by far the best for refering all US Coins and gives a far price listing for all coins. Great for beginners and expert collectors. If you going to collect coins this book is a must.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for the new collector., January 3, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: 2002 American Guide to U.S. Coins: The Most Up-to-Date Coin Prices Available (Paperback)

This book is an excellent resource for the new collector or the old collector who is staring to purchase coins. It is easy to understand and the layout makes it easy to find your coin. It could contain more info on different grades of coins from good to uncirculated, most are just fine to uncirculated. A must have for the new collector!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Guide Book, April 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: 2000 AMERICAN GUIDE TO U.S. COINS (Paperback)

2000 American Guide to U.S. Coins is a good resource for any American coin collector. It has wonderful pictures and I love the Civil War section. I recommend this book to everyone that collects coins!