Learn About the Four 1787 Designs of Nova Eborac
Ephraim Brasher and John Bailey were, along with all of the others who petitioned the New York Assembly, denied permission to mint copper coins for New York. Brasher and Bailey were not to be denied as they decided to strike their own privately minted “NOVA EBORAC” (Latin for New York) copper coinage.
Much like the Machin’s Mills coinage, the Nova Eborac coins were designed to look very similar to the then-circulating British Halfpennies. Whether they were designed in this manner to intentionally fool people or to give their coins wide acceptance is unknown.
There are four major designs for the Nova Eborac coppers. All of these coins share an obverse portrait of a mailed bust wearing a laurel wreath on his head. The legend on the obverse is simply “NOVA EBORAC.” The reverse depicts a seated figure of Liberty holding an olive branch in one hand and a Liberty Pole and Cap in the other. The very similar design is reminiscent of Britannia on British coppers. The reverse has the motto “VIRT. ET LIB.” (Latin for Virtue and Liberty) and all have the 1787 date in exergue under Liberty. The four major types are as follows:
- Large Head, Reverse Figure Facing Left: It is extremely difficult to discern the size difference between the Large Head and the Medium Head examples. Professional authentication and grading are suggested. As is typical, the obverse has a laureate head, in the mail, facing right with “NOVA EBORAC” around the head. The reverse has Liberty, seated, with shield, facing left, holding an olive branch and pole and Liberty Cap. The legend “VIRT. ET LIB.” Adorns the reverse and the date “1787” is underneath in exergue. Perhaps as many as 25-30 examples of this variety exist.
2. Medium Head, Reverse Figure Facing Left: See above. Same design and legends as above.
This variety is the most common of all of the Nova Eborac Coppers with 200 – 250 likely examples.
3. Medium Head, Reverse Figure Facing Right: The right-facing direction of the reverse figure is diagnostic for this type. See above, but the reverse figure of Liberty is facing right.
As Nova Eboracs go, this type is fairly common with nearly 200 examples estimated.
4. Small Head, Reverse Figure Facing Left: Distinctive in appearance. The head is smaller and the reverse figure of Liberty is facing left. Easily discerned by the six-pointed star on the obverse.
Truly the rarest of the Nova Eborac Coppers, with a mere 10 -12 examples of this coin known.
Expand your collection today and shop for a 1787 Nova Eborac Copper MS-63.
| Date | Type | Mintage | Good Value | XF Value |
| 1787 | Large Head, Reverse Figure Facing Left | 25-30 Known | $1,000 | $9,000 |
| 1787 | Medium Head, Reverse Figure Facing Left | 200 – 250 +/- | $125 | $1,300 |
| 1787 | Medium Head, Reverse Figure Facing Right | 200 +/- | $150 | $1,250 |
| 1787 | Small Head, Reverse Figure Facing Left | 10-12 Known | $7,000 | $60,000 |
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