The History of United States Coinage As Illustrated by the Garrett Collection
Q.David Bowers
It is believed that the Nova Constellatio copper issues, of halfpenny size, were distributed as a private speculation by Morris and were made to his order by Thomas Wyon at a private mint in Birmingham, England.
The obverse of each piece bears the inscription LIBERTAS JUSTITIA, a wreath within, and the letters U.S. The reverse depicts an all-seeing eye at the center surrounded with rays and stars and with the legend NOVA CONSTELLATIO. This is a reference to the "new constellation" or group of colonies which together formed the United States.
Specimens were made in large quantities with the 1783 and 1785 dates. Numerous die variations occur. A few specimens dated 1786 are known, but these are contemporary imitations not from dies engraved by Wyon.
The Nova Constellatio coppers were well received and saw extensive use in commerce, as the number of wellworn specimens extant today attests.
Vermont Copper Coinage 1785-1788
Of the several states which issued copper coins during the 1780s the earliest was Vermont, an independent area which was not formally a state until its admittance to the Union in 1791.
On June 10, 1785, Reuben Harmon, Jr. of Rupert, Bennington County, petitioned the House of Representatives for permission to produce coinage for Vermont. A committee consisting of Messrs. Tichenor, Strong, and Williams, with the addition of Ira Allen from the Legislative Council, was formed to consider the proposal.
On June 15, 1785, a bill authorizing Reuben Harmon, Jr. to coin copper pieces was sent to the governor and Council for consideration and possible ammendment:
Whereas Reuben Harmon, Jr., Esq., of Rupert in the county of Bennington, by his petition has represented that he has purchased a quantity of copper suitable for coining, and praying this legislature to grant him a right to coin copper, under such regulations as this assembly shall think meet; and this assembly being willing to encourage an undertaking that promises so much public utility, therefore:
Be it enacted and it is hereby enacted by the representatives of the freemen of the State of Vermont in general assembly met and by the authority of the same, that there be and hereby is granted to the said Reuben Harmon, Jr., Esq., the exclusive right of coining copper within this state for the term of two years from the first day of July, in the present year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty five; and all coppers by him coined shall be in pieces of one third of an ounce troy each, with such devices and mottoes as shall be agreed on by the committee appointed for that purpose by this assembly.
And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid that the said Reuben Harmon before he enter on the business of coining, or take any benefit of this act, shall enter into a bond of five thousand pounds, to the treasurer of the state, with two or more good and sufficient sureties, freeholders of this state, conditioned that all the copper by him coined as aforesaid, shall be a full weight as specified in this act, and that the same shall be made of good and genuine metal.
The bill was passed on the same day. On June 16th the required financial bond was obtained. Harmon found that his coins, regulated to be the weight of one third ounce each, would be too heavy and would weigh more than contemporary pieces of halfpenny size circulating at that time throughout the United States. Accordingly, an ammendment was passed on October 27, 1785, which stated:
Be it enacted and it is hereby enacted by the representatives of the freemen of the State of Vermont in general assembly met, and by the authority of the same; that all coppers coined by said Reuben Harmon, Jr., Esq., shall be of genuine copper in pieces weighing not less than four pennyweight fifteen grains each, and so much of the aforesaid act that regulates the weight of said coins is hereby repealed ...