TRIVIA: 1st American Coins

Clinker · 09-02-2008, 10:36 AM

I was wondering about what subject to pursue for an interesting post.

Do you know what is/are the first coin/coins in the Americas?

Some of you think the Masachusettes Willow Tree, Oak Tree and Pine Tree coins dated 1652 were first. These coins carry the 1652 date, but were not struck in 1652. The various varieties were struck as follows (photos courtesy Coin Facts):

Willow Tree minted 1653 to 1560:

http://www.coinfacts.com/colonial_co...by_variety.htm

Oak Tree minted 1650 - 1667:

http://www.coinfacts.com/colonial_co...ver_coins.html

Pine Tree minted 1667 - 1682

http://www.coinfacts.com/colonial_co...ver_coins.html

Some scholars think the undated New England Threepence, Sixpence and Shilling (twelvepence) were first.

A lot of historians believe the minting date of the New England coins was really 1652.

Most numismatic historians believe that, because the New England coins were the first coins to be minted on American soil, they should have this great honor.

Here's a photo of a New England Shilling (The differences between the denominations is size and Roman numerals on reverse - III for 3 Pence, VI for 6 Pence and XII for Shilling(courtesy Coin Facts):

http://www.coinfacts.com/colonial_co...d_shilling.htm

Doubters say, "Yes, first minted in the English colonies of North America, but there is more to the Americas than just North America."

Numismatic historians point out that French coins (Douzains, Deniers, Sols, Testons and the like) circulated in New France (pre colonial Canada) with dates as early as 1650.

I cite the following:

"No French coins were ever minted exclusively for circulation in French Canada (called Nouvelle France, that is, New France) or Louisiana. However, some issues were designated for general circulation in the French New World possessions, including Canada and possessions in the Caribbean. The first New World colonial issues were "recycled" old douzain coins, that is coins of 1 through 12 deniers (one sol). These hammered coins were composed of billon (an alloy of silver and copper) and consisted of both regal issues and regional coinage issued by local ecclesiastical or feudal lords."

Here's some photos with text courtesy Coin Archives:

http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotvie...D=274&Lot=1352

http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotvie...D=280&Lot=1102

Still, other numismatic historians point out that the Sommer Islands (now named Bermuda), a British-American Colony, had circulation coins back in 1616 called "Hoggies" or "Hogge Money" (Each had a hog on one side and a ship on the other side). In fact, these "Hoggies" were produced in England. The denominations? Twopence, Threepence and Shilling. When viewing the photo, read the text:

http://www.coinfacts.com/colonial_co...land_coins.htm

History of the Spanish Conquests in the Americas reveals the first coins for the New World were struck during Charles I's and Johanna's rule. Santo Domingo produced from 1542 to 1595 the first copper two-and-four maravedis. In 1535 a royal decree ordered the installation of the first mint in the western hemisphere at Mexico City. Silver one, two and four Real pieces bearing the Pillars of Hercules were struck there. The first gold coins produced in the new world were struck in either Cartagena or Bogota in 1622.

Here's a photo and text courtesy Coin Source:

http://www.coinresource.com/news/fir...al%20_coin.htm

Here's another photo (courtesy americanhistory):

http://americanhistory.si.edu/collec...ain/2realm.jpg

Others proclaim the first coins of distinction made solely for the Americas were copper 4-maravedí pieces authorized for Santo Domingo in Spanish America by Ferdinand II on December 20, 1505 (later confirmed by his daughter, Johanna_of_Castile, on May 10 1531. These coins were minted in Spain (at Burgos and Seville) and shipped to Santo Domingo (Hispaniola), and subsequently also to Mexico and Panama. The first were struck 1502-1504 in the name of Ferdinand and Isabella, with an F-I monogram obverse and pillars reverse. Ferdinand died in 1516, and Johanna's son Charles became King Carlos I of Aragon and Regent of Castille, so the last coppers struck in the early 1520s had a Carlos-Johanna monogram.

Quote from Wikapedia.

"After the discovery of America, copper maravedís were the first coins struck for the purpose of circulation in the colonial island of Hispaniola, and are thus considered the first coins for the New World. Crude maravedís were used as colonial change for smaller transactions. Initially produced in Spain specially for the Indies they were later struck locally at Hispaniola years before the mints of Mexico and Santo Domingo were officially established."

I was unable to locate photos.

Still other Scholars reason, since Columbus received a yearly stipend (theKing and Queen of Spain gave him an annual annuity of 12,000 Maravedies), the coins in his Admiral's personal chest and the coins he and his crew carried in their change pouches were actually the first coins to arrive in the Americas.

Here's a photo showing both sides of a Spanish Gold Ecellente (a denomination that might have been in Columbus' Money Chest (courtesy of americanhistory):

http://americanhistory.si.edu/collec...in/ferdisa.jpg

Still other historians bring up a find that may shed light on the real first coin used in the Americas.
It seems an excavation of a very old Native American Trading Center in Brooklin, Maine unearthed (along with other artifacts) a coin now referred to as the Maine Penny.
This find brought out a unique conclusion to the numismatic historians living in the area.
The coin was determined to be an 11th century Norse coin probably brought to the area by a Norse explorer (Leif Ericksson?).

Here's a photo of a Norse coin struck circa 1010 (same denomination as the Maine Penny):

http://imagedb.coinarchives.com/img/...030/image00071

So, I leave it to your discretion as to which one/ones were first. It boils down to your perspective, doesn't it?

Hope you enjoyed this trivia...

Clinker

900fine · 09-02-2008, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clinker

Hope you enjoyed this trivia...

As always ! Thanks, Clinker !

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clinker

Do you know what is/are the first coin/coins in the Americas?

Does it depend on perspective, or definition of terms ?

First, we have to define "coin". To me, a coin must must include all of the following characteristics : metallic, flat, any shape, stamped on at least one side, intended for use as a medium of financial exchange (as opposed to a medal), and officially sanctioned by a government.

This excludes wampum. We would have to investigate and determine if any other Native American technology produced anything fitting the definition of "coin". If they did, then the date and nature of the first "coin" is probably lost in antiquity. Personally, this is the stickiest issue. It's possible something Native American (pre-Norse) could be considered "coin".

The word "in" implies "came to be on these shores by any means", including carried here by anyone (imperial Europeans or anyone else), minted here by anyone, or planted here by the same aliens who abducted Elvis.

Certainly we must agree on a definition of the term "Americas". Other than the obvious two continents, we would have determine which islands (Atlantic AND Pacific) constitute "Americas". For instance - Hawaii. There were people there before Columbus. Did they have coins ?

The term "Western Hemisphere" is not adequate, as it includes real estate not part of the Americas.

If we use those definitions, Clinker's research indicates the first KNOWN coin IN the Americas was the Norse "Maine Penny". Who knows what else will turn up ?

The first coin MADE in the Americas was in Mexico City.

Anyone is free to disagree on definitions, and is likely to come up with different honorees for "first".

Thanks again, Clinker ! Good stuff as always.

Clinker · 09-02-2008, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 900fine

As always ! Thanks, Clinker !

Does it depend on perspective, or definition of terms ?

First, we have to define "coin". To me, a coin must must include all of the following characteristics : metallic, flat, any shape, stamped on at least one side, intended for use as a medium of financial exchange (as opposed to a medal), and officially sanctioned by a government.

This excludes wampum. We would have to investigate and determine if any other Native American technology produced anything fitting the definition of "coin". If they did, then the date and nature of the first "coin" is probably lost in antiquity. Personally, this is the stickiest issue. It's possible something Native American (pre-Norse) could be considered "coin".

The word "in" implies "came to be on these shores by any means", including carried here by anyone (imperial Europeans or anyone else), minted here by anyone, or planted here by the same aliens who abducted Elvis.

Certainly we must agree on a definition of the term "Americas". Other than the obvious two continents, we would have determine which islands (Atlantic AND Pacific) constitute "Americas". For instance - Hawaii. There were people there before Columbus. Did they have coins ?

The term "Western Hemisphere" is not adequate, as it includes real estate not part of the Americas.

If we use those definitions, Clinker's research indicates the first KNOWN coin IN the Americas was the Norse "Maine Penny". Who knows what else will turn up ?

The first coin MADE in the Americas was in Mexico City.

Anyone is free to disagree on definitions, and is likely to come up with different honorees for "first".

Thanks again, Clinker ! Good stuff as always.

Thanks to YOU and your addendum!

As to wampumage, you are right about not being coinage (it was "Primitive Money").

Clinker

**Daggarjon** · 09-02-2008, 01:07 PM

nice history!!! another awsome post!!!

Clinker · 09-02-2008, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daggarjon

nice history!!! another awsome post!!!

Thanks for yoiur welcomed comment AND for the nomination!

Clinker

**GDJMSP** · 09-02-2008, 03:22 PM

Absolutely excellent Clinker !

First of all I will help you out a bit with pics of those Santo Domingo copper coins - Click Here

But I feel I must also make a correction in the interest of knowledge. Yes, on April 23, 1497 there was a Royal Directive issued to Christopher Columbus by Ferdinand and Isabella to establish a mint in Santo Domingo. However, since there were few riches to be found there the effort to establish a mint was for naught - no coins were ever struck. The colonist did however improvise and they used crude bars, slugs and planchets of gold & low grade silver for commerce. These crude coins were called pesos corrientes.

It was on May 11, 1535 that the Royal Edict established the Mexico City mint. But the first coins were not struck until early 1536 - these were the first coins actually struck in the Americas.

Later, on Nov.3, 1536 a Royal Edict issued by Queen Regent Johanna formally established the mint at Santo Domingo. This edict authorized the Santo Domingo mint to issue silver coins. But it was not until 5 years later when the Royal Edicts dated Mar. 14 & 15, 1541 that the mint was directed to begin minting operations and to begin striking silver & copper coins. Prior to that, no copper coins were ever minted in Santo Domingo.

coleguy · 09-02-2008, 03:30 PM

Maybe not the first, but coins like the one pictured below were some of the earliest and widely used clear into the 1800's. This one was recovered from a shipwreck, so it wasn't used at all in circulation, as it came directly from the mint to the ocean floor in only a month and a half.

Sorry about the poor image.
Guy~

Clinker · 09-03-2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coleguy

Maybe not the first, but coins like the one pictured below were some of the earliest and widely used clear into the 1800's. This one was recovered from a shipwreck, so it wasn't used at all in circulation, as it came directly from the mint to the ocean floor in only a month and a half.

Sorry about the poor image.
Guy~

Thanks for the image...

Clinker

Clinker · 09-03-2008, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GDJMSP

Absolutely excellent Clinker !

First of all I will help you out a bit with pics of those Santo Domingo copper coins - Click Here

But I feel I must also make a correction in the interest of knowledge. Yes, on April 23, 1497 there was a Royal Directive issued to Christopher Columbus by Ferdinand and Isabella to establish a mint in Santo Domingo. However, since there were few riches to be found there the effort to establish a mint was for naught - no coins were ever struck. The colonist did however improvise and they used crude bars, slugs and planchets of gold & low grade silver for commerce. These crude coins were called pesos corrientes.

It was on May 11, 1535 that the Royal Edict established the Mexico City mint. But the first coins were not struck until early 1536 - these were the first coins actually struck in the Americas.

Later, on Nov.3, 1536 a Royal Edict issued by Queen Regent Johanna formally established the mint at Santo Domingo. This edict authorized the Santo Domingo mint to issue silver coins. But it was not until 5 years later when the Royal Edicts dated Mar. 14 & 15, 1541 that the mint was directed to begin minting operations and to begin striking silver & copper coins. Prior to that, no copper coins were ever minted in Santo Domingo.

Thanks for the update and corrections AND for the nomination...

Clinker