??? for you Colonial coin experts

[Mr. Digger]

My profile signature notes my oldest "US coin" as a 1798 Draped bust LC that I found in 2015. Then this year I found a 1787 Mass State Copper. Both are pictured below. My understanding is that State Coppers were not "official" US coins, and that the US mint didn't start producing coins until 1792-1793. But yet the State coppers were of course minted in the US and widely accepted at the time as early US coinage.

So....have I found my earliest "US coin" or not? I could really care less either way and am only throwing this out for debate to the experts because I'm bored and can't detect today...it's 5 degrees with 6 inches of fresh snow on the ground!

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A Handbook of Civil War Bullets and Cartridges - Grab it through Amazon!

[FreeBirdTim]

If I ever find a Mass state copper, I would call that my oldest US coin. State coppers are US coins, period.

When people ask me what's my oldest coin, I usually say it's a KGII (no date), but my oldest US coin is a 1798 large cent. I think most US coin collectors are more interested in US coin finds. You can find a KGII in many countries, but try finding a Mass copper or a LC in the UK! Probably not gonna happen...

 

[G.A.P.metal]

The back of the coin looks like a Mass. 1787/88 Cent/Half Cent ,but the front is completely different as is the date...i`ll just watch !
Gary

 

[Mr. Digger]

The back of the coin looks like a Mass. 1787/88 Cent/Half Cent ,but the front is completely different as is the date...i`ll just watch !
Gary

Sorry if I confused with my pics....those are both of the coins. One is the Mass Copper and the Other is the Draped Bust.

 

[Mr. Digger]

State coppers are US coins, period.

Thanks Tim. That sounds pretty definitive to me! I'm going with it.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Sorry if I confused with my pics....those are both of the coins. One is the Mass Copper and the Other is the Draped Bust.

Then can you put the front and the back of the Mass Copper ? Good pix/photos BTW.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Those are two very nice old copper recoveries!

 

[VTColonialDigger]

If it's minted in America, then it's an American coin. I agree with FreeBirdTim that state coppers are American coinage, even though they are not official "American" coins. Anyways, those are both some amazing coins! Great Finds

 

[Iron Patch]

Yep, I'd call it a great early American coin. Makes me want to get out.

 

[Mr. Digger]

Then can you put the front and the back of the Mass Copper ? Good pix/photos BTW.

It was originally posted on this thread:

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/today-s-finds/523386-bucket-lister-mass-copper.html