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A Higley Copper

In the early 1700s, rich copper deposits were discovered in Simsbury.
On July 29, 1728, Samuel, John and Hannah's son, purchased multiple tracts of land adjacent to his own for five hundred pounds. That may not seem like much today, but in 1728, it was more than the total net worth of most colonists. More significantly, on this land was what became known as the “Higley Copper Mine,” from which Samuel minded the nuggets he turned into Higley Coppers.
Samuel was a very wealthy man who, at least initially, made his coppers as a hobby, not a money-making enterprise. The coppers were not legal tender, but coinage was sparse in the colonies, and the coins began to circulate, and colonial authorities took no action to suppress them. It is unknown how many coppers were produced, but the number is substantial based on the circulation amount.
Very few Higley Coppers from that era remain today, and several are on display at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia.

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