Colonial copper collecting has gotten complicated with all the die varieties, authentication concerns, and market fluctuations flying around. As someone who has chased early American coppers for years, I learned everything there is to know about why these pieces matter. Today, I will share it all with you.
The Heritage Results
Heritage Auctions reports that early American copper sold strongly at their recent sale. A 1787 Fugio cent in choice condition realized double its pre-sale estimate, which caught even seasoned dealers off guard.
Probably should have led with the Massachusetts coppers, honestly. Those showed particular strength, with bidding wars on several attractive examples. Connecticut coppers also performed well, especially die varieties with documented provenance.
Why Collectors Care
That’s what makes colonial copper endearing to us numismatists—these coins offer tangible connections to American history before the federal Mint even existed. You can hold something that circulated during the Revolutionary period.
Dealers attribute the current strength to collectors seeking exactly that connection. Colonial coins offer it at various price points, from affordable circulated examples to museum-quality rarities.
