Confederatio Coppers: Distinctive Patriotic Designs
The Confederatio Coppers are unusual coins among Colonial currency for a variety of reasons. They comprise several very rare varieties, many with single-digit survivorship. Their designs are distinctive and patriotic. Their origins are uncertain, and while they appear to have been produced privately, the specific designers and mints are not definitively known. Finally, they were designed with every intention of circulation, yet were struck in such limited quantities that this was simply not possible.
The Designs of the Confederatio Coppers
The obverse has a depiction of Liberty with a bow and arrows and “INIMICA TYRANNIS AMERICANA” (commonly rendered as AMERICA OPPOSED TO TYRANNY or sometimes phrased as AMERICA, ENEMY TO TYRANTS) around the periphery. The reverse has 13 six-pointed stars in the center, surrounded by rays. Around the reverse periphery is “CONFEDERATIO 1785.” Thomas Jefferson is often associated with the underlying concept for this design, though the direct link between a specific Jefferson sketch and this exact token’s dies is not firmly documented.
A similar variety was struck with the word ‘AMERICA’ instead of ‘AMERICANA’ on the obverse, and the series includes multiple reverse varieties distinguished by features such as star size and die layout. The reverse on this variety uses smaller stars than the America version. The same designer likely created this second design, although we cannot be sure since it is unknown who commissioned these coins. Of the few examples known to survive, most show signs of circulation.
(An Inimica Tyrannis America Copper, Obverse [left], Reverse [right].)
The General Washington Confederatio Copper
The General Washington Confederatio Copper is another rare item, commonly cited at about six known examples (with some censuses differing slightly). The obverse displays a bust of General George Washington in clear detail. This detail leads some experts to believe the coin was struck in America, because English pieces with Washington portraits were often more roughly engraved. Washington faces right, and, around the periphery, it says “GEN. WASHINGTON”. The reverse has 13 six-pointed stars inside of a small circle. The outer perimeter of the circle has rays emanating from it and around the periphery is “CONFEDERATIO 1785”.
(The rare and valuable General Washington Confederatio Copper, Obverse [left], Reverse [right].)
There is a second George Washington piece, a pattern with a shield, reminiscent of New Jersey copper coins, with the legend “E PLURIBUS UNUM” (ONE OUT OF MANY) on the reverse. There are only three of these pieces known to exist.
The Eagle Confederatio Copper
The Eagle Confederatio Copper is an important coin in this series. It is also unusual in that it bears dual dates, a different year on each side. The obverse depicts a heraldic style American eagle, wings outstretched, beak wide open, with 13 six-pointed stars above, an olive branch in her left talon and arrows in her right. An American Union shield covers the eagle’s chest. Around the periphery is “E PLURIBUS UNUM” and at the bottom is the date “1786.” The reverse displays the typical Confederatio “large circle” design with 13 six-pointed stars inside a large circle, rays emanating around the circle, with “CONFEDERATIO – 1785.” Only two examples of this coin are known to exist.
(The rare dual-dated Heraldic Eagle Confederatio copper, Obverse [left], Reverse [right].)
Immunis Columbia Confederatio Copper
Survivorship estimates for Immunis Columbia pieces vary by variety; some 1786-dated examples are often cited at roughly a couple dozen known, while related issues can be significantly rarer or more available depending on the specific type. The obverse depicts Liberty, seated on a globe, holding a pole with Liberty Cap atop it, facing right. In her outstretched left hand are the scales of justice. The legend around the periphery reads “IMMUNIS COLUMBIA 1786” (often interpreted as AMERICAN FREE FROM TRIBUTE OR TAX).
A second Confederatio copper dated 1786 also features a George Washington portrait. The obverse displays the same bust of George Washington as on the two prior pieces, but the reverse is dated 1786 and there is a large circle containing the 13 six-pointed stars. Around the periphery are “CONFEDERATIO” and “1786.”
Confederatio Designers
Numismatist Walter Breen attributed the Heraldic Eagle design to engraver Walter Mould, citing similarities in letter punches.
Immunis Columbia pieces are often attributed to James Atlee and described as proposals for Congress, although both the attribution and the purpose remain subjects of debate among researchers. However, these coins were too late for the Federal Coinage competition, and in 1787 the Confederation government authorized the Fugio cent and contracted with James Jarvis for its manufacture; the design is often associated with Benjamin Franklin.
