Nova Constellatio 1/2 penny
1783
Copper
Overall (diameter): 1 1/16 in. (26.5mm)
INV.13871b
In 1783 Robert Morris, the Superintendent of Finance during the Confederation, in an endeavor to establish a national mint and currency hired British engraver Benjamin Dudley to design a set of coins for national use. Although this venture produced the forerunner to our current system of money values, neither the proposed denominations nor the coins advanced passed the pattern stage.
In 1785, Nova Constellation coins without denominations were struck in large quantities in Birmingham, England, and then shipped to New York. They resulted from a private coinage venture undertaken by Constable, Rucker & Co., a trading business formed by William Constable, John Rucker, Robert Morris, and Governor Morris. They were made from the same designs as the proposed domestic coins.
The dating on these coins does not necessarily reflect the year of minting. From available evidence it appears the coppers marked 1783 were only put into circulation in America in 1785-1786. When the initial dies wore out they seem to have been updated with current date.
DescriptionDie-struck copper coin; obverse bears the legend "NOVA / CONSTELLATIO" (A New Constellation) at center the Eye of Providence with emanating rays; a star is positioned between each of the long rays to produce a circle of thirteen stars; on reverse the legend "LIBERTAS / JUSTITA / 1783" surrounding an olive wreath with "U.S." in center.MarkingsStruck obverse: "NOVA / CONSTELLATIO"
Struck reverse: "LIBERTAS / JUSTITA / 1783"
ClassificationsCOINS & TOKENS
