IMMUNIS COLUMBIA. Device. A shield in the shape of a heart, with stripes thereon, running lengthwise of the same. Legend.-E. PLURIBUS UNUM. 1787. Reverse. The figure representing Justice, seated upon the globe, holding in the right hand a flag-staff surmounted by the liberty-cap, the flag drooping over the arm, and in the left hand the scales. Legend.-IMMUNIS COLUMBIA. (Size 8. See Plate X., Figure 21.) The design of this piece is very beautiful and forcible; it is particularly rare, and is found but in few cabinets. It has the reputation of being merely a pattern piece; but we are inclined to believe that it was gotten up, and designed, like other coins of the same character, for a currency in New Jersey. The late day of its appearance, however, following by a year the emission of the "Nova Cæsarea," gave to the latter the pre-occupancy of the In this year we have discovered but five types and ten varieties. Types.- No. 1. The legend on the obverse of this type is punctuated with 1788. a small cross at the beginning, middle and end. No. 2. The legend on the obverse is punctuated with three six-pointed stars, in this type. No. 3. The plow in this type is differently constructed, and it may be determined by the horse's head facing to the left. No. 4. The same as the preceding, except the size of the bead, and the pointing of the horse's ears. No. 5. The legend has no punctuation in this type. NEW YORK. 1786. NEO EBORACENSIS. Device.-A bust, facing to the right, intended for that of Washington, in the costume of the Continental army, the hair in a cue. Legend.-NON VIVIRTUTE VICE. Reverse. The Goddess of Liberty, seated on a pedestal, holding in her right hand a staff surmounted by the Liberty cap, and in her left the scales of justice. Legend.-NEO EBORACENSIS. Exergue.-1786. (Size 8. See Plate XI., Figure 1.) This piece has been denominated, and is known as the "New York Washington penny." The bust, so far as we have been able to discover, constitutes its only claim to the addition of the name of Washington. Of this emission, there were two types and four varieties; and, partaking of the general history of much of the copper currency then in use, it had its origin in England, which was, and ever has been conspicuous in the protecting care she has exercised toward our interests and convenience ; but always in proportion to the profit which was to inure to herself. 1787. NEW YORK GOLD COIN. Device.-A range of hills, in front of which the sea is represented, and the sun emerging from behind them. Legend.-NOVA EBORACA . COLUMBIA. EXCELSIOR. Reverse. A spread eagle, surrounded by a wreath. Legend.-UNUM E PLURIBUS. Outside of the wreath. Exergue.-1787. (Size 8. See Plate XI., Figure 2.) This coin is in the cabinet of the U. S. Mint, in Philadelphia, beside which we have seen three others, and is remarkably well executed. It was coined in the city of New York, in the year of its issue, by a Mr. Blasher, a goldsmith, whose name it bears. It is said to have been duplicated in silver. We have met with but one type. As the Federal Constitution was adopted this year, and it involved entire authority over the coinage, it is inferable that this coin was gotten up as a pattern piece—perhaps, also, in the same manner in silver; as the artists in gold and silver would naturally have been attracted to the subject of the coinage, and as the General Government might be expected to make some provision for a national currency. The device was undoubtedly derived from the beautiful bay of New York, the surrounding country furnishing the elevations denominated hills. NEW YORK COPPERS. IMMUNIS COLUMBIA. Device. The figure of Justice seated upon the Globe, holding in her right hand a flag-staff, surmounted by the Liberty-cap- the flag drooping over the 1787. arm and in her left the scales. Legend.-IMMUNIS COLUMBIA. Exergue.-1787. Reverse.-A large Eagle with wings expanded, and covering nearly the whole of the field; grasping a bundle of arrows in the right talon, and a laurel branch in the left. Legend.-E PLURIBUS UNUM * (Size 7. See Plate XI., Figure 3.) All we know of the "Immunis Columbia" is, that it had an existence, and perhaps as important a one, in relation to the events of its day, as any of its copper competitors. Its design and appearance would certainly have recommended it to public favorcovered all over as it was, and as we now see it, with national emblems. and at a time, too, when the intensity of our nationality acquired form and substance by the adoption of the Federal Constitution. NOVA EBORAC. Device.-A bust, facing to the right, in Roman armor, with a fillet of laurel. 1787. Reverse. The Goddess of Liberty seated, and facing to the right; holding a sprig of laurel in her right, and a pole surmounted by the Liberty-cap in her left hand; at her side a shield bearing the arms of the State. The figure, which was intended for the Goddess of Liberty, resembles very much that used as the emblem of Brittania on the old English coins. Legend.- VIRT ET LIB & Exergue.-1787. (Size 8. See Plate XI., Figure 4.) This is of British origin-the emblem of Brittania, on the reverse, for want of something more original though intended for republican use-playing the part of the Goddess of Liberty for the occasion. There were of this copper, two types and six varieties. The types can be determined thus: No. 1. Nova Eborac, facing right, three varieties. 66 66 The varieties are disclosed by the Goddess of Liberty, on the reverse, facing either to the right or the left, the arrangement of the legend on each side of the effigy, and the differences of punctuation of the legend VIR ET LIB· Large quantities of this coin were sent to America, and it is stated that a single shipment of eight tons, instead of safely arriving to delight the New Yorkers, went to the bottom of the ocean within a few days' sail of its destination; and it is as true that they were the subject of a quarrel among the mermaids for counters and head ornaments, as it is that that species of half woman and half fish have a veritable existence. The coins were composed of good copper, but poorly struck off; proper care not having been taken to place the planchet truly upon the face of the die. We have seen specimens of this coin in brass, but they are very rare. LIBER NATUS LIBERTATEM DEFENDO. 1787. Device.-An Indian chief standing, with a raised tomahawk in his right hand, in the left a bow, and from his back depend the quiver and arrows. Legend.-LIBER NATUS LIBERTATEM DEFENDO * Reverse.-Crest of the State Arms; an Eagle, proper-standing upon a half globe with wings expanded. Legend.-NEO EBORACUS EXCELSIOR. Exergue.-1787. (Size 8. See Plate XI., Figure 5.) This was, also, of English manufacture, and it possesses no history apart from its competitors. It had four types, was composed of the best of copper, and somewhat less than a cent in weight. LIBER NATUS LIBERTATEM DEFENDO. Device.-An Indian chief standing, a raised tomahawk in the right hand, a bow in the left, from his back depend the quiver and arrows, and the head Legend.-LIBER NATUS LIBERTATEM DEFENDO * 1787. Reverse. The arms of the State-the figures representing Justice and Liberty on each side of a shield, standing — surmounted by an Eagle. Legend.-EXCELSIOR. (Size 8. See Plate XI., Figure 6.) The obverse of this coin is the same as that immediately preceding; it differs on the reverse, and is, therefore, a distinct variety. This bears the arms of the State complete; the other only the crest of the arms. There are three other types, making in all five varieties, so far as we have been able to discover. There may be more types and varieties, but if so they have not found their way into the best cabinet collections. We have thoroughly examined the Colonial records, the laws of the State of New York, and the works of its historians, but could find no other authority for these coppers than is disclosed by themselves. M. Vatimar, while sojourning in this country, endeavored to form a cabinet of our Colonial coins, and obtain a history of their mintage. He failed, however, to obtain anything authentic relative to the coinage of the "New York coppers." They possess the merit, at least, of being quite rare, and, as relics of the past, are held in high estimation by those whose cabinets they adorn. We are satisfied that no gold, silver, or copper coins were minted by the authority of the province or State of New York. Though Massachusests previously, and some of the other States subsequently to the Revolution, established mint-houses and coined money, no demonstration of the kind was made by New York. We may attribute this to her superior regard to law, during Colonial servitude, and, after the Revolution, to the anticipation of the establishment of some general authority over the whole subject. It is clear to us that these coppers were a currency, and, subserving as they did a useful purpose, they encountered no opposition from the local authorities. |