Back button
coin-icon-tr

Greysheet & CPG® PRICE GUIDE

About Foreign Coins in the American Colonies

Money had a rich history in America prior to the advent of the United States’ national coinage. When coins tumbled off the presses from the first Philadelphia Mint in 1793 the country was much more accustomed to coins from other lands. Prior to 1652 there was no local coinage and the only money in circulation was whatever came here from Europe through trade or travel. People were content to use currency, both old and new, whose value was based more on the metal content than on the issuer’s reliability. Foreign money in America during the colonial period had become so embedded that it continued to be accepted as legal tender until discontinued by the Coinage Act of February 21, 1857. Coins of this era are so fundamental to American numismatics that every collection should include at least a sampling.

Visit these great CDN Sponsors

CDN Sponsors

Related Stories (powered by Greysheet News)

View all news
Private Collections Lead Heritage's CSNS Auctions to $47.7 Million
5/8/2025 by Heritage Auctions

Bruce Sherman Collection, Part II headlines $31.7 million U.S. coins event; Charles Buckley and Ronald Gustafson collections lead currency event.

Adolph Weinman: Master Sculptor
5/8/2025 by Michael Garofalo

Weinman did not consider himself to be a coin designer or medalist, but instead referred to himself as a sculptural artist.

The Business of Numismatics: May 2025 Greysheet Editor's Letter
5/7/2025 by Patrick Ian Perez

There was no shortage of market madness towards the end of March and into April, from both a macro equity point of view and in precious metals.