Coldengham, New York
Store of Cadwallader Colden, Jr.
Coppers
On this day, 250 years ago, Colden bought cash from Archibald Hunter (entry 255-09). About half of the cash tendered was referred to as "copers."
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| Colden Store transactions of April 14, 1768. |
In 1672, King Charles II proclaimed that farthings (1/4 pence) and half-pence would be minted in copper instead of silver. These coins adopted the nickname of "coppers."
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| George II 1754 Farthing 'Copper'. Last year of minting prior to this date in 1768. |
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This article is one in a series of a daily accountings of Colden Store transactions. Be sure you read the first installment for an introduction to the store. You should also read this article which appeared in the Journal of the Orange County Historical Society.
Production of 'coppers' was ceased temporarily in 1754 due to high copper prices and a large number of counterfeit coppers in circulation. Production was not restarted until 1770. So although King George III had been on the throne for eight years in 1768 (1760-1820), there were no coppers in Colden's store with the bust of George III. The coppers were likely to have born the image of his father, George II. All of the coppers produced from 1729 to 1754 featured the left portrait of George II. (see above). Half-pence were minted in 1729-1740 and 1742-1754 and farthings in 1730-1737, 1739, 1741, 1744, 1746, 1749, 1750 and 1754. [coins.nd.edu]
In New York the coppers were worth about twice their face value, ie. 12-15 half-pence per shilling. If half of the coppers received by Colden were farthings and half were half-pence, he would have received over 600 coins to equal the one pound and eighteen shilling total! This seems like quite a large number of coins unless the colonies were calling all coinage 'coppers' which would have been quite inaccurate.
Colden received the remainder of the Cash as "Bill" for one pound sixteen shillings and three pence (£1:16:3). These were undoubtedly 'Bills of Credit' as discussed in a prior blog.
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