Heritage World Coin Auctions
ANA Signature US Coin Sale 1258 2-6 Aug 2017
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Colonials
1787 N YORK New York Excelsior Copper, Eagle Left, W-5785, R.6, Fine 15 PCGS. In April 1787, the New York legislature prohibited any circulating coppers that weighed less than one-third ounce (160 grains or 10.37 grams). The law also placed the value of full weight pieces at 20 to a shilling, when they were previously valued at 14 to a shilling. The law, if it was enforced, effectively eliminated the Birmingham coppers that were in circulation at the time. Earlier coinage petitions of Ephraim Brasher, John Bailey, and Thomas Machin had been denied. Walter Breen recorded a weight range of the Excelsior coppers from 134 to 153 grains.
The obverse of the Excelsior coppers has an eagle amid 13 stars above, with the legend E PLURIBUS UNUM and the date below. The reverse displays the New York state arms, in this case with the eagle facing to the observer's left. Another variety has the eagle facing to the right. Just over two dozen of these Excelsior coppers are known in all grades, but few have the exceptional surfaces displayed olive-brown example. Listed on page 66 of the 2018 Guide Book.
From The Don Willis Collection of US Colonial Coinage
HID02901242017
1787 N YORK New York Excelsior Copper, Eagle Left, W-5785, R.6, Fine 15 PCGS. In April 1787, the New York legislature prohibited any circulating coppers that weighed less than one-third ounce (160 grains or 10.37 grams). The law also placed the value of full weight pieces at 20 to a shilling, when they were previously valued at 14 to a shilling. The law, if it was enforced, effectively eliminated the Birmingham coppers that were in circulation at the time. Earlier coinage petitions of Ephraim Brasher, John Bailey, and Thomas Machin had been denied. Walter Breen recorded a weight range of the Excelsior coppers from 134 to 153 grains.
The obverse of the Excelsior coppers has an eagle amid 13 stars above, with the legend E PLURIBUS UNUM and the date below. The reverse displays the New York state arms, in this case with the eagle facing to the observer's left. Another variety has the eagle facing to the right. Just over two dozen of these Excelsior coppers are known in all grades, but few have the exceptional surfaces displayed olive-brown example. Listed on page 66 of the 2018 Guide Book.
From The Don Willis Collection of US Colonial Coinage
HID02901242017