Part 8
Reverse: The same as one of the coins of Vermont. Another Connecticut coin of this year, has the same reverse as the “GEORGIVS III REX” issue of Machin & Co., from the mint established by them in the State of New York.
NOTE.—The obverse and reverse dies of the Connecticut cents are too numerous to mention, there being no less than one hundred and sixty-four of the first, and eighty-four of the latter.
NEW ENGLAND TOKEN.
Obverse: Same as that of the common type of the Carolina Token of 1694, and from the same die as that and the “London Halfpenny.”
Reverse: An inscription, in five lines, occupying the whole field, “GOD PRESERVE NEW ENGLAND 1694.” Borders, milled; edge, plain; copper; size, 18½; weight, 133 and 236 grains.
GOOD SAMARITAN SHILLINGS.
The same general type and variety as the Pine Tree Shilling, but bearing upon the obverse a well-executed device, illustrating the parable of the Good Samaritan; but two or three specimens of this coin have been known, two of which are in existence and of unique varieties; they are supposed to have been pattern pieces, struck at the origin of the Mint of Massachusetts Colony.
[Illustration: PLATE III.
LARGE PATTERN CENT. NOT ISSUED.
BAR CENT. VERY RARE.
FUGIO. “MIND YOUR BUSINESS.” FIRST.
INIMICA TYRANNIS AMERICANA.
FUGIO. “MIND YOUR BUSINESS.” SECOND.
See description.]
[Illustration: PLATE IV.
HALF CENT. 1836.
CONFEDERATE C. S. A. HALF DOLLAR.
HALF CENT. 1840.
HALF CENT. 1845.
“JEFFERSON HEAD” CENT.
HALF CENT. 1846.
See description.]
MASSACHUSETTS HALF CENT, 1787.
Obverse: Same general description as the Cent of 1787.
Reverse: Same in general as the Cent of 1787, except that the shield upon some specimens, bears only “HALF CENT.” Borders, milled; edge plain; size, 15 to 15½; weight, 75 to 83 grains.
The “Cent,” 1788. Twelve Types. Thirteen Varieties.
MASSACHUSETTS CENT, 1788.
Obverse: A clothed Indian, standing, facing left, in his right hand a bow, in his left an arrow. Legend: “COMMONWEALTH.”
Reverse: A spread eagle, a broad shield upon his breast, six pales gules (upright), a chief azure (open or plain). Upon the chief, or upper part of the shield, the word “CENT,” in bold Roman lettering. In exergue, beneath a heavy horizontal bar, the date 1787. Borders, milled; edge, plain; size, 16½ to 19; weight, 146 to 165 grains.
FUGIOS OR FRANKLIN CENTS.
The Fugios or Franklin Cents are the earliest coins issued by authority of the United States. They being all dated 1787, and made in conformity with resolution of Congress, dated July 6, 1787:
“_Resolved_, That the Board of Treasury direct the contractor for the copper coinage to stamp on one side of each piece the following devices, viz.: Thirteen circles linked together, a small circle in the middle, with the words ‘UNITED STATES’ round it, and in the centre the words, ‘WE ARE ONE’; on the other side of the same piece the following device, viz.: a dial with the hours expressed on the face of it; a meridian sun above, on one side of which is to be the word ‘FUGIO,’ and on the other the year in figures ‘1787’; below the dial the words ‘MIND YOUR BUSINESS.’”
THE BAR CENT, OR U S A COPPER.
This coin, presumed to have belonged to the same issue as the Nova Constellatio Coppers, was probably made in Birmingham, England, by Thomas Wyon, for circulation in America. The “U S A” Copper was first passed as money in the City of New York, in November, 1785. The device was taken from an old Continental button, to which fact and the light weight of the piece, has been attributed the disfavor shown the coinage and the limited circulation given the same.
Obverse: Large Roman “U S A” in a monogram, on a plain field.
Reverse: Thirteen horizontal bars. Border, serrated; Edge, plain; size, 15½; weight, 85 grains. Two pairs of dies.
MARYLAND PENNY.
The Maryland Penny. One Type. One Variety. Unique.
Obverse: Similar to that of the sixpence.
Reverse: A Ducal Coronet, upon which are erected two masts, each bearing a flying pennant. Legend: “DENARIVM TERRE-MARIÆ.” Copper; size, 13.
The only specimen of this piece extant was imported into America from England, at a cost of £75, and was sold for $370 with the collection of J. J. Mickley, Esq., of Philadelphia.
ROSA AMERICANA HALF-PENNY, 1722.
Obverse: Laureated head of King George I, facing right. Legend: “GEORGIUS DEI GRATIA REX.”
Reverse: A full double rose; from this project five barbed points. Legend: “ROSA AMERICANA UTILE DULCI 1722” which encircles the piece. Border, beaded; edge, plain; “Bath Metal;” size, 16 to 18; weight, 139 grains.
Devices: Same as those of the Penny of this coinage. Legends: Same import as those upon the Penny, but varied by abbreviations and in punctuation. Border, beaded; edge, plain; “Bath Metal;” size, 13 to 14; weight, 75 grains.
LIBER NATUS LIBERTATEM DEFENDO—_First_.
Reverse: Arms of the State of New York. Upon an oval shield at the center is shown the sun rising from behind a range of hills, the sea in the foreground; left of the shield, Justice, with sword and scales; right, Liberty, with staff and cap. Upon a hemisphere, above the shield, stands an eagle, wings outspread, facing right. Exergue: 1787; beneath this, next the border, “EXCELSIOR.” Border, serrated; edge, plain; size, 17; weight, 157 grains.
[Illustration: PLATE V.
MARYLAND PENNY.
HALF CENT. 1847.
ROSA AMERICANA HALF PENNY. 1722.
LIBER NATUS LIBERNATUM DEFENDO. FIRST.
GRANBY OR HIGLEY TOKEN. 1737.
LIBER NATUS LIBERNATUM DEFENDO. SECOND.
See description.]
[Illustration: PLATE VI.
WASHINGTON CENT. 1783.
WASHINGTON LIVERPOOL HALF PENNY. 1793.
“NAKED BUST.” WASHINGTON CENT. 1792.
NON DEPENDENS STATUS.
HALF CENT. 1842.
PATTERN CENT. 1792.
See description.]
LIBER NATUS LIBERTATEM DEFENDO.—_Second._
Obverse: An Indian, standing, crowned with feathers, and facing left; in his right hand he wields a tomahawk, his left supports a bow, the end of which rests on the ground near his feet; over his right shoulder appears the top of a quiver of arrows, which is borne upon his back. Legend: “LIBER NATUS LIBERATEM DEFENDO.”
Reverse: A hemisphere of the globe, marked by longitudinal and meridianal lines; upon this stands a large heavy-bodied eagle, wings spread, somewhat drooping, beak toward the right. Legend: “NEO-EBORACUS 1787 EXCELSIOR.” Border, serrated; edge, plain; size, 17; weight, 153 grains.
GRANBY OR HIGLEY TOKEN, 1737.
Obverse: A deer, standing, facing left, occupying the whole field. Legend: “VALVE ME AS YOU PLEASE.” Exergue: The Roman numerals III upon a small scroll; a little crescent is shown below.
Reverse: Three hammers, each bearing a crown upon the head. Legend: “I AM GOOD COPPER 1737.”
WASHINGTON CENT, 1783.
Obverse: Large laureated bust of Washington, draped, facing left. Legend: “WASHINGTON & INDEPENDENCE 1783.”
Reverse: A figure of a female, facing left, seated upon a rock; right hand holds an olive branch; left, staff of liberty, with cap. Legend: “UNITED STATES.” Exergue: T. W. I. E. S. Border, beaded; edge, plain; size, 17½; weight, 120 grains. Two obverse and three reverse dies.
WASHINGTON LIVERPOOL HALF-PENNY.
Obverse: Bust of Washington, in uniform, facing left, hair in a queue. Legend: “WASHINGTON PRESIDENT.”
Reverse: A ship, under sail, to the right: Legend: “HALFPENNY” under the ship, waves, and in the foreground, on a panel, the date 1793. Border, milled; edge, lettered: “PAYABLE IN ANGLESEY LONDON OR LIVERPOOL.” Size, 19; weight, 163 grains.
WASHINGTON NAKED BUST CENT, 1792.
Obverse: A classical bust of Washington, undraped, facing right; the head is encircled by a fillet, confining the hair, which is cut short and is curly; the fillet is tied at the back of the head by a bow knot with long pendent ends. Legend: “WASHINGTON PRESIDENT 1792.”
Reverse: A small eagle, displayed, wings upraised; on his breast a shield argent, six pales gules; right talon, an olive branch, fourteen leaves, six berries; left talon, thirteen arrows; about the head of the eagle are six mullets, and above is the word “CENT.” Border, milled; edge, plain, or inscribed: “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” Size, 19; weight, 198 grains. Some six or eight specimens only are known.
NON DEPENDENS STATUS.
Obverse: A full bust, facing right; flowing hair to the shoulders. Upon the drapery of the bust a small oval shield as an epaulet, emblazoned with a staff bearing a flag; across the staff, saltierwise, rests a naked sword. In each angle of this device is displayed a fleur de lis. Upon the breast of the bust is a head with spreading wings. Legend: “NON-DEPENDENS STATUS.”
Reverse: An Indian, seated upon a globe, facing left; nude, except a cap or bandeau upon his head, and a feather tunic around the lower part of the body. In his extended right hand he holds a bunch of tobacco; the left reaches behind him and rests upon a shield, bearing the same emblems displayed upon the epaulets upon the bust on the obverse. Legend: “AMER ICA,” divided by the figure of the Indian. Exergue: 1778. Border, plain; edge plain; size, 19.
Some coin dealers advertise the Non Dependens Status as “a rare copper, worth $100.”
PATTERN CENT, 1792.
Obverse: A bust of Liberty, facing to right, the hair confined by a fillet. Above is inscribed the word “LIBERTY,” and beneath the date “1792.”
Reverse: A portion of a globe, on which stands an eagle, with raised wings. Legend: “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” This cent has a grained edge, like the cents of 1793. Some numismatists give it the preference as the first cent.
GEORGE CLINTON COPPER, 1787.
The George Clinton Copper has the bust of Governor Clinton facing right, with legend “GEORGE CLINTON.”
Reverse: The State arms of New York, and in the exergue, “1787 EXCELSIOR.” This last reverse is found also combined with the Liber Natus, which has an Indian standing, facing left, with tomahawk in the right hand and bow in the left, a bundle of arrows also at his back. Legend: “LIBER NATUS LIBERTATEM DEFENDO.” This latter obverse is also found combined with another reverse, as follows: An eagle stands upon a section of the globe. Legend: “NEO EBORACUS 1787 EXCELSIOR.”
[Illustration: PLATE VII.
GEORGE CLINTON COPPER. 1787.
KENTUCKY TOKEN.
IMMUNIS COLUMBIA. 1787.
MASSACHUSETTS PINE TREE SHILLING. 1652.
CHAIN CENT. 1793.
MYDDELTON TOKEN.
See description.]
[Illustration: PLATE VIII.
GREEK EGYPTIAN COIN. PTOLEMÆUS SOTER. 285-300 B. C.
ROMAN COIN. FAUSTINA, DAUGHTER OF ANTONINUS PIUS, WIFE OF MARCUS AURELIUS. DIED, 175 A. D.
MACEDONIAN SILVER COIN. ALEXANDER THE GREAT. 300 YEARS B. C.
SILVER SHEKEL OF JUDEA. SIMON MACCABEES. 145 B. C.
PERSIAN SILVER COIN. VOLOGESES III. 148-190 A. D.
JUDEAN COPPER COIN. SIMON MACCABEES. 145 B. C.
See description.]
KENTUCKY TOKEN OR CENT
Has a hand holding a scroll inscribed “Our Cause is Just.” Legend: “UNANIMITY IS THE STRENGTH OF SOCIETY.” Reverse: A radiant pyramid, triangular in shape, of fifteen stars united by rings, each star having placed in it the initial of a State, Kentucky being at the top. Legend: “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”
SHEKEL (SIMON MACCABEES).
The Shekel was originally a weight. The first form in which money was used by the Jews, and by all other nations of which we have any knowledge, was the pieces without any regular shape or any marks or devices upon them. Precious metals passed by weight. Thus it is said of the purchase made by Abraham of the cave and field of Machpelah, “And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current with the merchant.” Gen. xxiii. 16.
The weight of a shekel was a little less than one-half an ounce troy. The term “current with the merchant,” probably refers to the purity of the silver, which was about ninety-five per cent. fine, and the value in our money was fifty-eight cents. It first appeared as a coin in the time of the Maccabees, who lived about 140 B. C. The amount of silver in the coin is the same as was contained in the piece of silver denominated a shekel. It will be seen that on one side is the golden cup that had manna (see Exod. xvi. 33, and Heb. ix. 4), with the inscription in old Hebrew character, “SHEKEL OF ISRAEL;” on the other side appears Aaron’s rod that budded with the legend in the same character, “JERUSALEM THE HOLY.” This specimen is in the Mint cabinet; one of the most rare and interesting coins in the collection.
IMMUNIS COLUMBIA, 1787.
Obverse: The Goddess of Liberty, seated upon a globe, facing right; in her fully extended left hand she balances the scales of justice; the right hand supports a liberty staff, bearing a flag and crowned with a cap. Legend: “IMMUNIS COLUMBIA.” Exergue: 1787.
Reverse: An eagle, displayed; right talon, an olive branch, thirteen leaves; left talon, thirteen arrows. Legend: “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” Borders, serrated; edge, plain; size, 16½; weight, 135 grains.
MASSACHUSETTS PINE TREE SHILLING.
“John Hull and Robert Saunderson were equal officers in the ‘gainful business’ of the Mint. How much they coined in all for the colony, or the exact amount of their profits under the contract they carried out, cannot be determined.” The coinage was certainly large in amount, and they, as was well understood, became men of wealth and substance. When the daughter of John Hull was married to Judge Samuel Sewall, the founder of the town of Newbury, Mass., the prosperous mint-master gave the bride a dowery of her weight in silver. At the conclusion of the wedding ceremony, a large steel-yard was brought into the room, and the blushing bride placed upon one of the platforms of the same, while into a tub upon the other side were poured the Pine Tree Shillings, until the steel-yard balanced.
CHAIN CENTS.
These have a bust with flowing hair, looking right, with the date below and word “LIBERTY” above it; on the reverse side, in the centre, is “ONE CENT,” with “⅟₁₀₀” below it, enclosed in an endless chain of fifteen links, typifying the number of States then in the Union. The legend is “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” in all excepting one die, which reads “UNITED STATES OF AMERI,” the engraver evidently not having room to complete the word.
THE MYDDELTON TOKENS.
Obverse: A figure, representing Hope, beside an anchor; she presents two children to a female, the last extending her right hand in reception of the charge; the left hand supports a liberty staff, which is crowned with a cap; in front of the figure with the staff is an olive branch and a wreath, to the rear a cornucopia. Legend: “BRITISH SETTLEMENT KENTUCKY.”
Reverse: Britannia, seated disconsolate amid the down-cast emblems of her power, and facing left; her head is bowed; she holds in her right hand an inverted spear, the head of which penetrates the ground; at her right side a bundle of fasces or lictors’ rods have fallen near the cap of Liberty; upon the ground, before the figure, are the scales of justice, upon which Britannia has set her left foot and the sword of justice, with broken blade; the left arm of the figure rests upon a large shield, bearing the cross of the British ensigns. Legend: “PAYABLE BY P. P. P. MYDDELTON.”
[Illustration: PLATE IX.
HALF CENT. 1802.
WREATH CENT. 1793.
HALF CENT. 1794.
WASHINGTON MEDAL. 1789.
HALF CENT. 1847.
NEW YORK CENT.
See description.]
[Illustration: PLATE X.
GREEK EGYPTIAN COIN. PTOLEMY.
WIDOW’S MITE. COPPER COIN.
ROMAN BRONZE COIN. TRAJAN AUGUSTUS. 98-117 A. D.
ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES.
COUNTERFEIT JUDEAN SHEKEL. DATING ABOUT THE TIME OF CHRIST.
MACEDONIAN COIN. PHILIP III. 317-324 B. C.
See description.]
THE SMALL PATTERN CENT.
Obverse: A head, facing right, hair unconfined, floating backward in flowing locks. Legend: “LIBERTY PARENT OF SCIENCE & INDUST.” Exergue: Beneath the head the date 1792.
Reverse: A wreath, two olive branches crossed at the lower ends and tied with a ribbon; within the wreath a field bearing an inscription “ONE CENT” in two lines. Legend: “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” Exergue: “⅟₁₀₀.” Border, milled; edge, reeded; size, 14; weight, 65 grains. Extremely rare.
THE DOUBLE HEAD WASHINGTON.
A small head on both obverse and reverse. The former has the legend, “WASHINGTON;” the latter the legend “ONE CENT.” No date.
NEW YORK WASHINGTON CENT.
Bust of Washington with a wig, and with military draping, face right. Legend: “NON VI VIRTUTE VICI.”
Reverse: The Goddess of Liberty, seated, with liberty pole and scales of justice. Legend: “NEO EBORACENSIS.” Date, 1786.
CAROLINA ELEPHANT (TOKEN.)
A token much prized by collectors is known as the Carolina Elephant. The obverse is from a rather common English token known now as the London Elephant. The animal is standing with his head down. There is no legend.
Reverse: “GOD PRESERVE CAROLINA AND THE LORDS PROPRIETERS 1694.”
COPPER HALF-CENT OF 1794.
In 1794 and 1795 similar device to that of 1793; but face Liberty facing to the right. Weight, 104 grains.
CENT, 1799.
The liberty cap is omitted, as is the lettering on the edge, not to reappear on the American cent. Liberty Cap Cents are very rare.
In the year 1798 a slight change was made in the obverse of the cent, giving some of the curls a different termination from those of 1796, 1797, and the early part of 1798. The latter device was continued each year, until and including 1807. The reverse remained unchanged during the same time, excepting some slight variations, probably unintentional, if not positive mistakes. For instance, in 1797 and 1802 we find some without stems to the wreaths, and in one case only one stem. In 1801 and 1802 some have ⅟₀₀₀ instead of the fraction ⅟₁₀₀. In addition to this error, a variety of the cent of 1802 has “Iinited,” instead of “United.” In 1796 we have in one instance “Liherty,” instead of “Liberty.”
LIBERTY CENT, 1809.
In 1809 an obverse head of Liberty; forehead encircled by a band, “LIBERTY” inscribed upon it, surrounded by thirteen stars. Exergue: “1809.”
Reverse: Wreath in a circular garland inclosing the words “ONE CENT.” No change took place during the issues of 1808 to 1814, inclusive.
HALF-CENT OF 1793.
The first half-cent was issued in 1793, having on obverse: Bust of Liberty, facing to the left; staff surmounted by liberty-cap over right shoulder. Legend: “LIBERTY.” Exergue: “1793.”
Reverse; Inscription, “HALF CENT,” surrounded by a wreath, tied with a ribbon. Weight, 132 grains.
WREATH CENT.
Obverse: Bust of Liberty, hair flowing. Legend: “LIBERTY.” Exergue: “1793.”
Reverse: A wreath with berries, the stems of wreath tied in a bow with a ribbon. Inscription: “ONE CENT.” Legend: “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” Exergue: “⅟₁₀₀.”
Third. Known as the “Liberty Cap Cent.”
LIBERTY AND SECURITY WASHINGTON COIN.
Obverse: A bust of Washington, in uniform, facing right, hair in a queue. Legend: “GEORGE WASHINGTON.”
Reverse: A shield with sixteen argent and gules impaling argent, fifteen mullets; above the shield an eagle, left talon, an olive branch, right talon, six arrows. Legend: “LIBERTY AND SECURITY.” Exergue: “17 95,” divided by the point of the shield. Border: A plain circle, and outside of the same, milled edge, lettered “AN ASYLUM FOR ALL NATIONS.” Size, 20½; weight, 310 grains. This piece is extremely rare.
VIRGINIA HALF-PENNY.
The well-known Virginia half-pennies seem to have been very plentiful. A number of different dies were used. A laureated bust of George the Third is surrounded, as on the English half-penny, with his title, “GEORGIVS III. REX.” The reverse has an ornamental and crowned shield, emblazoned quarterly: 1, England empaling Scotland; 2, France; 3, Ireland; 4, the electoral dominions. Legend: “VIRGINIA.”
[Illustration: PLATE XI.
CENT. 1809.
HALF CENT. 1793.
CHAIN CENT. 1793.
PATTERN “TWO CENT” PIECE.
CENT. 1799.
SMALL PATTERN CENT. 1792.
See description.]
[Illustration: PLATE XII.
DOUBLE HEAD WASHINGTON.
LIBERTY AND SECURITY WASHINGTON MEDAL. 1795.
GRANBY OR HIGLEY COPPER TOKEN.
N. Y. COLONIAL CENT. 1787.
CAROLINA ELEPHANT TOKEN. 1694.
VIRGINIA HALF CENT.
See description.]
[Illustration: PLATE XIII.
MEDAL OF 1776, COMMEMORATIVE OF THE NATION’S INDEPENDENCE.
“KITTANNING MEDAL,” ONE OF THE EARLIEST MEDALS EXECUTED IN AMERICA.]
[Illustration: PLATE XIV.
1795 SILVER DOLLAR. OBVERSE AND REVERSE.
1798 SILVER DOLLAR. OBVERSE AND REVERSE.]
[Illustration: PLATE XV.
ROSA AMERICANA.
MASSACHUSETTS HALF CENT.
RHODE ISLAND MEDAL.
PITT MEDAL.
IMMUNIS COLUMBIA.
NEW YORK TOKEN.
See description.]
[Illustration: PLATE XVI.
PATTERN HALF DOLLAR. 1859.
PATTERN CENT. 1854.
LIBERTY CENT. 1793.
LIBERTY HALF CENT. 1795.
PATTERN CENT, COPPER AND SILVER. 1850.
PATTERN CENT. 1855.]
[Illustration: PLATE XVII.
RARE COLONIAL CENT, OF NEW JERSEY.[18]
WASHINGTON HALF DOLLAR. 1792.
WASHINGTON CENT. 1783.
WASHINGTON CENT. 1783.
WASHINGTON CENT. VERY RARE. 1792.
WASHINGTON CENT. 1791.]
[Illustration: PLATE XVIII.
TRIBUTE MONEY.
CONSTANTINE THE GREAT.
COUNTERFEIT SHEKEL, OF EUROPEAN MANUFACTURE.
JEWISH. LEPTON, B. C.
JEWISH. LEPTON, A. D.
SYRIAN.
GRECIAN.
MAXIMUS PHILLIPUS.]
[Illustration: PLATE XIX.
DOUBLE EAGLE, 1849. “Unique,” beyond price.
GOLD DOLLAR, 1849.
DOUBLE EAGLE. 1885.
HALF EAGLE, 1849.
TEN DOLLAR EAGLE, 1795.
HALF EAGLE, 1885.
EAGLE, 1849.
HALF EAGLE, 1795.
EAGLE, 1885.
THREE DOLLARS. Gold Piece, 1885.
QUARTER EAGLE, 1847.
QUARTER EAGLE, 1885.
GOLD DOLLAR, 1885.]
[Illustration: PLATE XX.
RHODES.
ANTIOCHUS VII.
SYBARIS.
GREEK COIN. ALEXANDER THE GREAT. 300 B.C.
ATHENS.
HEROCLEA.]
[Illustration: PLATE XXI.
1804 DOLLAR, “The King among Rarities.”
PATTERN DOLLAR, None issued.
PATTERN DOLLAR OF 1871, Rejected.
PATTERN PIECE KNOWN AS THE BARBER DOLLAR, Rejected.]
[Illustration: PLATE XXII.
SILVER DOLLAR, 1849.
STANDARD DOLLAR, 1885.
HALF DOLLAR, 1849.
DIME, 1849.
HALF DOLLAR, 1885.
HALF DOLLAR, 1794.
QUARTER DOLLAR, 1885.
QUARTER DOLLAR, 1849.
HALF DIME, 1849.
DIME, 1885.
HALF DIME, 1794.
DIME, 1796.]
[Illustration: PLATE XXIII.
LIBERTY CAP CENT, 1793.
CHAIN CENT, 1793. First issue.
CHAIN CENT, 1793. Second issue.
PATTERN TWENTY CENT PIECE, Rejected.
HALF CENT, 1793.
CENT, 1849.
CENT, 1885.
THREE CENT NICKEL, 1885.
HALF CENT, 1849.
THREE CENT PIECE, 1885.]
[Illustration: PLATE XXIV.
ANTIOCHUS VII.
ADDERA.
PRUSIAS.
ANTIOCHUS VIII. EPIPHANES.
PANORMUS.
ALEXANDER THE GREAT.
Grecian Coins about 300 years B.C.]
COINS ISSUED AT THE UNITED STATES MINT AT PHILADELPHIA, FROM ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1792 TO 1888.
GOLD.
_Double Eagle._
Authorized to be coined, Act of March 3, 1849. Weight, 516 grains; fineness, 900; size, 21.
1850 to 1865, inclusive. No. 1. Obverse: Liberty head, facing left, hair tied behind, a coronet on the forehead inscribed “LIBERTY,” thirteen stars and date.
Reverse: An eagle with shield upon its breast, and an olive branch and three arrows in its talons; in its beak, an elaborate scroll, inscribed “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” Above, a circle of thirteen stars and a curved line of rays extending from wing to wing. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” “TWENTY D.”
1866 to 1876, inclusive. No. 2, same, with the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” inscribed within the circle of stars on the reverse.
1877. No. 3. Same, with “TWENTY DOLLARS” for “TWENTY D.”
_Eagle._
Authorized to be coined, Act of April 2, 1792. Weight, 270 grains; fineness, 916⅔. Weight changed, Act of June 28, 1834, to 258 grains. Fineness changed, Act of June 28, 1834, to 899.225. Fineness changed, Act of January 18, 1837, to 900.
1795. Obverse: Liberty head, wearing a cap, facing right. Fifteen stars. Above, “LIBERTY;” beneath, “1795;” size, 21.
Reverse: An eagle with displayed wings, standing on a palm branch; in beak, a laurel wreath. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”
1796. Same, with sixteen stars.
1797. No. 1. Same, with sixteen stars.
1797. No. 2. Obverse: Same, with sixteen stars.
Reverse: An eagle with the United States shield upon its breast, a bundle of arrows in the right talon, and an olive branch in the left; in its beak, a scroll inscribed “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” Around the head are sixteen stars; above, is a curved line of clouds extending from wing to wing. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”
1798 to 1801, inclusive. Same, with thirteen stars on the obverse. Of 1798, two varieties with four stars facing.
1802. None issued.
1803 and 1804. Same as No. 2 of 1797. Thirteen stars.
1805 to 1837, inclusive. None issued.
1838 to 1865, inclusive. Obverse: Liberty head facing left, hair tied behind, a coronet on the forehead inscribed “LIBERTY,” thirteen stars, and date.