Lark Coin Collection: Group F, 1786/1788

Scope and content:

24 - examples of early New Jersey Coinage. Like many of the other New England states, the state of New Jersey sold the rights to mint coppers to a company of private individuals. Just as in the case of New York, Connecticut, and Vermont; New Jersey's private mint soon found itself split by internal strife and a lack of income. In the case of New Jersey the minting company split, with one comapny resorting to counterfeiting currency to remain financially solvent; while the other soon cold their equipment to Machin's Mint and dissolved. Nearly all of the coins bare the same face and reverse. The face shows the head of a horse, a plow beneath it, the date to the right, and the words NOVA CASAREA (the latin from which New Jersey derived its name. The reverse of these coins feature a shield with 13 stripes surrounded by the familiar phrase E PLURIBUS UNUM. Two pieces of particular interest are F03, which is a normal New Jersey copper in about uncirculated condition. Another piece of interest is F21. This coin was a counterfeit copper that flooded the streets of New York in 1787; it is in about uncirculated condition. Gift of the Estate of Charles Lark Jr. Images are available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/5445572721/ and https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/5445572907/. Located in T&E S6 SS2, Box 1. Mss 1984.042.F01-F24

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.