The Independent Republic of Vermont Coinage
In 1785, Vermont was not a state in the United States or a colony – it was an independent republic. Reuben Harmon, of Rupert, Vermont, was authorized to strike copper coins for the independent republic of Vermont. Colonel William Coley, a goldsmith from New York, was charged with creating the designs and dies. Eventually, over that four-year period (1785 to 1788), fourteen different designs were tried, and all circulated due to the scarcity of copper coinage in Vermont. The majority of these coins are well circulated and were unfortunately struck on poor-quality copper planchets.
13 Major Design Types
There are 13 major types, some of which are largely known.
1. The first example listed is a Vermont obverse with an Immune Columbia reverse. This coin bears a right-facing portrait with the words “VERMON AUCTORI” (By the Authority of Vermont) around the periphery. The reverse has the goddess of Liberty seated, holding a shield and the scales of justice with “IMMUNE COLUMBIA” around the periphery. This reverse was used on early Nova Constellation colonial coinage. Only 30 Vermont examples are known to exist. Below is the finest.
2. Next is the 1785 dated coin with the Vermont Landscape (Sun rising over the Green Mountains) and a large plough obverse and the legend “VERMONTS RES. PUBLICA” called the VERMONTS variety. The reverse displays an all-seeing eye with rays and stars around. The legend is “STELLA QUARTA DECIMA,” which translates to 14th Star, Vermont being the 14th State.
3, The next issue is exactly like the one above, except that the obverse legend is “VERMONTIS. RES. PUBLICA.” The reverse is exactly the same.
4. The fourth issue, similar to the prior two, is called the Vermontensium issue. The date was changed to 1786, and the obverse legend is “VERMONTENSIUM. RES. PUBLICA.” The rest of the obverse and reverse designs are identical.
5. The next major type is called the 1786 “Baby Head” copper. The reason it is called “Baby Head” is the shape and style of the head and portrait on the obverse. The portrait of what appears to be a very young male faces right. Around the periphery is “AUCTORI VERMON.” which translates to “BY THE AUTHORITY OF VERMONT.” The reverse has the goddess of Liberty, seated facing left, with a staff in her left hand and an olive branch in her right, and “INDE ET LIBE” (Independence and Liberty) around. Ribbons behind the head look like a bib.
6. The last design of 1786 was one with a portrait facing left and the legend “VERMON. AUCTORI” (Authorized by Vermont) around the periphery of the obverse, and the reverse was dominated by the goddess of Liberty, seated, facing left with “INDE ET LIB.” around the periphery.
7. The first design, dated 1787, was the exact same copy of the last design – “Bust Left” – but with the date changed to 1787.
8. This design was meant to imitate the designs of the British copper coins that circulated prior to, during, and after the Revolutionary War. On that coin, a bust of King George III is on the obverse and encircled by the inscription “VERMON AUCTORI.” The reverse with a seated female embodiment of Britannia. The reason this was chosen was to make their circulation and exchange easier outside of Vermont.
9. The ninth type is dated 1787, and the bust of King George III is facing right. The bust is encircled by “VERMON AUCTORI.” The reverse has Britannia encircled by “INDE ET LIB.” The difference between this version and the one above is that this portrait is bigger.
10. The tenth coin was the exact same coin as one above, with the same devices and legends on both the obverse and reverse, but with the date 1788.
11. The eleventh Vermont Copper coin type is the same as the tenth variety above, except that it has a Backwards “C” in the word “AUCTORI” in the obverse legend. Otherwise, it is identical. This is a very rare coin.
12. The twelfth type is one that has stars incorporated into the reverse legend. It appears as “*ET LIB * *INDE,” which makes it different from all the prior examples.
13. The thirteenth and final Vermont Copper is a British imitation coin that has the obverse legend of “GEORGIVS III REX” and a portrait of King George III facing right, with a Britannia reverse facing left with the motto “INDE ET LIB”. This is a scarce and popular type.
The Vermont coinage began in 1785 while Vermont was still a Republic. The first coins, displaying the Vermont landscape, are highly desirable. The combination of a Vermont obverse with an “IMMUNE COLUMBIA” reverse is another much sought-after variety. The “BRITANNIA” coins were a great attempt to mimic circulating British coins, and they traveled throughout the colonies, including Canada and the Caribbean. Expand your collection today with Vermont Coppers and shop for other colonial coinage.
