The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-01-24
MONEY IS HOMEMADE
Threepenny Piece Made by Connecticut Blacksmith
in Colonial DAVIS Sold for $275.

new design. This showed deer stand
ing In a circle on the diverse with the
value III" below and surrounded By the
inscription Value Me as You Please"
on the reverse were the same crowned
hammers as borne by his first issue, but
the new legend read I Am Good Copper"
which was followed by twenty-seven
small dots il the form Of two irregular
triangles and one star or circle, with the
date .'1757 At once putting the new
issue into circulation, this pioneer Ameri-
can cOlnmaker left the valuation 10 his
copper pieces 10 be determined ~
ditiOns
/ The Higley coins consisted altogether
Of seven diverse and four reverse dies.
all combining the general features Of the
| specimens described. but bearing minor
differences. The coins were all made with
{, beaded or miIled borders and varied IN
size, the weight ranging from 30 10 10
/ grains. The denomination of three pence
was placed upon them to meet the depre-
ciated value Of the Colonial paper money.
I then so extensively circulated although
all Of his coins were Of the purest COP
per. In fact, 50 pure was the metal
contained in these pieces that they were
much sought by goldsmiths Of the period
for the purposes Of alloy. and the coins
seem 70 have been in pretty general use
until 1872. the tine Of the opening Of the
United States MINI
The Higley pieces were struck in the
years I7y7, 17Ss, and 173e. specimens bear
ing the first and last dates being vel
known. A coin Of this series with the
date 1873 IS not known 10 exist
Wants Coinage LegaIiEed.
Notwithstanding the lack OF authority
Eigley issued these coins without hin
drance, and later eudeavored TO place
his coinage upon a lawful basis by Ell
listing the services Of one John Read. OF
Boston, to have the copper product OF
his mint made the monetary standard
OF the province
On October Is. I729. Read addressed q
memorial TO the General Court Of Con
necticut. in which he suggested that the
court obtain from the crown authority
for the establishment Of a mint at which
copper coins could be struck 70 supply
( the ColOnists with q proper currency
and at the same tine develop the mines
, and natural resources OF the colony He
drew attention 20 the lamentable condi-
b ton Of the currency OF New England AZ
this period. due 10 the depreciation OF the
paper bills so lavishIy issued by the
various colonies
Read proposed a currency Of English
half-pence and farthings, 70 be made
from Connecticut copper. with which vera
; 10 be redeemed the outstanding bills Of
Connecticut. new bills only 70 replace
2 those already IN circulation He suggested
5 that a bank be created, which shOulC
! pay its obligations and those OF n,
= colony upon demand. in the course oil
? business. 0ne-half IN the new bills and
+. ore-haIf in the copper money OF The
proposed new Connecticut mint
; Very little attention. however. seems Z
e have been paid 20 the petition OF Higley''
] representative, although later Connection
S was flooded with the copper coin OF pri
% vate individuals.
Every one Of the varieties Of the Higley
o pieces is rare. and the coins are bu
? seldom offered for sale. owing 70 the few
] known being contained in the big COllec
e tons. and even The celebrated Sticknel
! collection. disposed OF last year, contained
l but one specimen. All the pieces now 10
4 Gated are in more or less worn c0ndi
{ ton. due TO extensive use and the ex
Z IRENE sOftness OF the metal. II an IN
= circulated specimen Of one OF the varIetie.
Z Of the HigIey three pence were 70 CON.
e 10 light and offered for sale L would &
all probability bring q premium IN ex.
!. cess Of that PAID for any copper cor
{ ever issued IL America.