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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,695 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
718 Posts |
I'd like to own a 'decent' 18th Century U.S. coin. The denomination doesn't matter (o.k., I'd like to have a dollar, but I don't think that's going to fit the rest of my criteria). What denomination and year will get me the best looking example for the money spent (a cent I assume)?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1431 Posts |
A cursory glance at my Red Book shows the 1800 Half Cent as the least expensive 18th Century US coin in higher grades. |
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Valued Member
469 Posts |
Does it have to be a federal issue? If not, you can purchase some 18th century pre-federal issue coins for very reasonable prices considering the age and significance of the coins.
Edited by Pytellc
02/28/2015 12:46 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1566 Posts |
A 1798 large cent might be your best bet. I agree with Pytellc that a New Jersey or Connecticut copper can be had for about the same price.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5854 Posts |
If you are looking for a U.S federal issue, then it will probably be the 1798 large cent. You could consider some of the colonial issues or a spanish colonial 8 reales which while not a U.S coin, they did circulate here in the U.S.
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Rest in Peace
United States
2668 Posts |
D0ubl3Eagle is right. The US gov't minted so many Mexican coins they should be plentiful.
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Valued Member
United States
309 Posts |
If you are not stuck on Philadelphia Mint products, go for a Fugio cent. Look for a common variety in about Fine shape with no problems for a few hundred dollars. Buy one you will be happy to hold onto. According to Crosby these are the earliest coins issued by authority of the United States. The iconography per Crosby comes from David Rittenhouse who made an eight day clock for his brother-in-law, Mr. Barton in 1756. Over the dial-plate was engraved "Tempus Fugit" and underneath "Go about your business." A 1776 two-thirds of a Spanish-Milled dollar, Continental bill of credit issued by the Continental Congress pulled together all the design elements used on the Fugio cents. Ben Franklin often gets credit for the sentiments about minding one's business, so they are sometimes called "Franklin Cents." Tasked in 1787, a United States Congressional committee settled on the Fugio design. Recommended for the first United States money,they were realized by contract with James Jarvis who minted Fugio cents at several mints in New York, Connecticut, and Vermont. What's not to like?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
1790 Large Cents would not cost to much in G-4 grades.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1566 Posts |
1790 Large cents? Must be a typo.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1801 Posts |
Hello Parklane64
Could you please explain your comment "D0ubl3Eagle is right. The US gov't minted so many Mexican coins they should be plentiful."
I am confused?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1566 Posts |
The Federal government did NOT mint Mexican coins but Mexican and Spanish coins did circulate widely before the 1830s.
Edited by Celticsoul
02/28/2015 8:52 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1801 Posts |
Correct Spanish colonial silver and gold circulated extensively throughout what now constitutes the USA and were considered legal tender until the US coinage Act of 1857 changed the rules. It is interesting to me how many documents and historical references from the 1750's through the turn of the century, while written in English in the English colonies reference payout in "Spanish Milled Dollars". But then again, they were "La Moneda Del Mundo" (Coin of the World) at that time. I think a nice Spanish Colonial Pillar or Portrait coin would be an excellent addition to any US coin collection and a nice example of either an 8 reales or a 2 reales can be found at affordable prices if you take the time to look. After all, if Washington did throw a dollar across the Potomac River, it would most likely have been a Spanish Colonial Milled Dollar. (Yes, I know that story is an urban myth) |
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,695 |
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Posted 02/28/2015 12:08 pm
