Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1890-08-21

the d0nOmlnatlOn, ALL, W., ILL.,, mdue
with a stamp upon the reverse. The
authority for this coinage was granted in
1862, and it was soon after followed by an
emission of the Pine Tree money of like
values, and the Oak Tree money of SINH
lar varieties in denominations to which
was added the twopence piece. On the
diverse side of these coins there Is, rela-
lively, pine or an oak tree in the center,
around which is beaded circle with the
legend, Massachusetts, in, and yet another
beaded circle surrounding this. The re-
verse bears the figures 1862, with XII,
VI, Ill, or H., according to the size of
the coin, in the center, with beaded
circle about the figures. New England,
An: Dom. is the legend and on the edge
of the piece is still another circle of
beads. Although this coinage was con-
tinuously struck for thirty years the coins
same dies or duplicates of the originals,
for they all bear the same date. 1852"
Of Copper "Colonials" the CRANKY or
Higley Coppers are classed as the first
coins of that metal manufactured in
America They were made by John
Higley, at the town of CRANKY, in Con-
necticut, from 1877 to 1889. inclusive
There are three different varieties of this
coin. On each issue the diverse is iden-
tical; deer standing in the center, be-
low the figured animal, III, with star
on one side and q hand, forefnger
pointed. on the other, and around the
piece the legend: value Me AS You
Please" The reverse of one variety con-
sists of three hammers, crowned about
them around circle, the word Con-
necticut, star and 1877. Another re-
verse bears the three crowned hammers,
T. 4, ~. %
hand, some dots, or single beads fanci-
ETY. has o broad-axe, with. outside
the circle, hand and the words: II Cut
My Way Through beaded circle sur
rounding this legend; some few of these
last also have the date 1889 upon them.
All these CRANKY or Higley coppers are
quite rare, and when genuine and in a
satisfactory condition they bring high
| price, 1t is alleged that years ago the
fneness of the quality of copper from
which they were made caused them to
be much sought after as an alloy for
gold, and their use for this purpose may,
In part, account for their present great
scarcity.
Among the early American colonials
the money of Maryland, issued while that
province was under the proprietorship of
Cecil, the second Lord Baltimore, is en-
titled to rank with original colonial coins.
In that day and province tobacco was
given and received as common article
Of exchange; furs were also made use
of to some extent in payment OF debts,
and so also were powder and shot or
lead. On one occasion his lordship quiz
eted and settled with his mutinous sol
diers, clamorous for their pay, by hand
| ing over beef cattle in lieu of coin. AT q
subsequent time, when tax was levied
upon the people of several Of the counties
for o particular purpose. it was paid in
| the above named products of the earth
and the animal kingdom; to Obyiate the
Inconvenience of these media Of ex-
change, the proprietor had dies prepared
| in London for striking silver coinage OF
shiIlings, sixpences and greats. But d
comparatively small number OF each OF
these pieces we're struck, fewer of the
greats than fhe others, and genuine
specimens OF any are very rarely in