History of Machin’s Mills & Their Counterfeit Coins
Thomas Machin formed a company with several partners to strike coins in New York City in 1787. Machin’s Mills striking imitation (counterfeit) coins that continued to circulate even after the Revolutionary War. The coins minted in the facility were dated 1747-1788.
The counterfeit British Halfpennies are identified by the portrait on the obverse (thicker lips) or by the large, triangular-shaped denticles on the edge of the coin. Many of the Machin’s Mills coins bore the obverse “GEORGIUS III.” and rev. “INDE ET LIB.”
Connecticut and Vermont Coppers
As private mints in Connecticut, New Jersey, and Vermont began to fail, Machin purchased their presses and other equipment, most of which was used at Machin’s Mills. Along with their “imitation British halfpence,” the minters at Machin’s Mills also produced a number of counterfeit Connecticut Coppers as well as some legal Vermont Coppers. Most of the legal Vermont Coppers struck by Machin were struck over counterfeit Irish halfpennies. The minting (legal and otherwise) continued at the Machin’s Mills facility until the 1790s, some believe.
Machin’s Mills Coin Details
Machin’s Mills produced 14 different types of “imitation” British Halfpennies as follows:
- 1747 GEORGIVS II. These coins bore the early date of 1747 and had a bust of George II facing left on the obverse with “GEORGIVS II. REX.” around the periphery. The reverse had Britannia facing left, with “BRITANNIA” around the periphery.
2. 1771 GEORGIVS III. The obverse has a bust of George III facing right with “GEORGIVS. III. REX.” on the obverse and Britannia seated, facing left and “BRITANNIA” on the reverse.
3. 1772 GEORGIVS III. Same as above, but dated 1772 on the reverse instead of 1771.
4. 1772 GEORGIUS III. Same as above, but “GEORGIUS” is on the obverse instead of “GEORGIVS”.
5. 1774 GEORGIVS III. The obverse depicts King George III, facing right with “GEORGIVS. III. REX.” The reverse has a seated Britannia facing left with “BRITANNIA” around.
6. 1774 GEORGIUS III. Same as above but “GEORGIUS” on the obverse.
7. 1775 GEORGIVS III. The obverse depicts King George III, facing right with “GEORGIVS. III. REX.” The reverse has a seated Britannia facing left with “BRITANNIA” around.
8. 1776 GEORGIVS III. Same as above, but the date on the reverse is 1776.
9. 1776 GEORGIVS III, SMALL DATE. Same as above, but the date is small in size. RARE!
10. 1778 GEORGIVS III. The obverse depicts King George III, facing right with “GEORGIVS. III. REX.” The reverse has a seated Britannia facing left with “BRITANNIA” around and the 1778 date.
11. 1784 GEORGIVS III. Same as above, but with the 1784 date on the reverse. The portrait is somewhat modified and less “regal.”
12. 1787 GEORGIVS III. The obverse depicts King George III, facing right with “GEORGIVS. III. REX.” The reverse has a seated Britannia facing left with “BRITANNIA” around and the 1787 date.
13. 1787 GEORGIVS III. Same as above but over 1777 date.
14. 1788 GEORGIVS III. The obverse depicts King George III, facing right with “GEORGIVS. III. REX.” The reverse has a seated Britannia facing left with “BRITANNIA” around and the 1778 date.
It is estimated that the mintage for most types ranges from 5,000 to 10,000 coins. Most surviving specimens are well-worn due to years of circulation. Expand your collection today and shop other colonial coinage and Great Britain gold and silver coins and currency.
