Lark Coin Collection: Group E, 1787/1788

Scope and content:

12 - examples of Early Massachusettes Coinage (10 original, 2 reproductions). Unlike other states during the Confederation Period, Massachusettes developed a state mint rather than offering contracts to private organizations (which had resulted in counterfeiting in several other states). The design that was used for the face of the coins (that of an Indian with bow and arrows) was adopted from Militia buttons; the reverse of the coin features an eagle. The dies used for the 1787 and some 1788 coins were made by Joseph Callendar, a student of Paul Revere. Of particular interest in this group is a 1787 prototype of the cent. The reverse of the coin features the standard eagle, but the arrows appear in the left talon rather than the right, as it it featured in subsequent cents. Also included in this group is a 1788 Cent whose reverse has been retooled to be a tree, a reverse which can be found on the replicas of the 1776 halfpenny included with this group. Six slides accompany this group.Gift of the Estate of Charles Lark Jr. Image available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/5445574221/. Located in T&E S6 SS2, Box 1. MSS 1984.042.E1-E12

Access and use

Location of collection:
College of William and Mary
Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Parent restrictions:
Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
Parent terms of access:
Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.