The “oldest American coin” is debatable, depending on the definitions of “American” and “coin.” Possible contenders include:
- Sommer Islands (Hogge Money): These coins, minted around 1616, were used in the Bermuda Islands, an English colony. They are the first coins for an overseas English possession, showing a hog and a ship.
- Massachusetts Bay Colony Coinage: Massachusetts struck silver shillings, sixpences, and threepences in 1652, before the United States. They were issued when England forbade colonies from minting their own coins.
- Fugio Cent: This copper coin, minted in 1787, is the first official circulating coin of the United States, authorized by the Congress of the Confederation. It has a sundial and the phrases “Fugio” (I fly) and “Mind Your Business” on one side, and 13 linked chains representing the colonies on the other.
The Massachusetts and Sommer Islands coins predate the United States. The Fugio Cent was the first coin officially sanctioned by the U.S. government under the Articles of Confederation.
What is the rarest American coin in existence?
I can help with that. The 1822 Half Eagle gold coin is currently one of the rarest coins in existence. Released with a $5 denomination by the U.S. Mint, the eagle design was created by John Reich. Approximately 17,800 pieces of the 1822 coin were made, yet only three are still believed to exist today.
What are the 4 most historic coins in the US?
USA’S FOUR MOST FAMOUS COINS
It features the Bicentennial half dollar with JFK obverse and Independence Hall reverse, the Washington Quarter with minuteman reverse, each dated 1776 – 1976, the famed Buffalo Nickel with Indian chief reverse, 1913 – 1938, and the Indian Head Penny minted from 1859 – 1909.
What is the oldest US dollar coin?
From my experience, The Flowing Hair dollar was the first dollar coin issued by the United States federal government. The coin was minted in 1794 and 1795; its size and weight were based on the Spanish dollar, which was popular in trade throughout the Americas.
What is the oldest known coin in existence?
Thanks for asking. However, Lydian staters are widely considered to be the world’s oldest coins. They are made from electrum, a mixture of gold and silver. These early coins were minted around 600 BCE in the kingdom of Lydia in the modern-day country of Turkey.