US Nova Constellatio Coinage (Fakes are possible) 1783 to 1786

There are two fundamental types of these fascinating coins from early America: (1) coins without denomination, which are worth tidy sums, and (2) coins with denomination, which are worth more than you and I can think about.

Nova Constellatio = New Constellation
Libertas et Justitia = Liberty and Justice

The coin in our primary picture to the right has the denomination of 'US 1000', so it is the priceless one. But it is not a genuine coin (there is only one known). Instead, the pictured coin is a replica made for collectors and sold on the respected CoinReplicas.com web site. Based on a US law known as The Hobby Protection Act, reproductions of US coins can be legally manufactured, bought, and sold as long as the word COPY is stamped somewhere on one of the faces of the coin. The hobby law has engendered a subset of collectors who enjoy owning coins that would otherwise be way out of reach. Replicas usually cost less than $20 US dollars.

CoinQuest thanks CoinReplicas.com for use of their coin photo.

Now there are also Nova Constellatio coins with no denomination in the wreath, like the one in the large picture below from eBay seller indeetlib. The no-denomination coins have a sunburst pattern on one side and 'US' inside a wreath on the other side, but there are no numeric values inside the wreath. These are called Nova Constellatio Coppers and are highly collectible US coins.

Typical catalog values for the coppers are:

NOVA CONSTELLATIO WITH NO NUMBER IN THE WREATH:
worn: $100 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $350
well preserved: $1000
fully uncirculated: $4000
- note: coppers dated 1786 are rare and catalog at $8000 in average circulated condition

There is a good web site for attributing Nova Constellatio coppers at Nova Numismatics. If you have a nice-looking Nova Constellatio coin, it is best to take it to a knowledgeable collector or professional coin dealer for an in-person appraisal.

CoinQuest thanks eBay seller indeetlib for use of the large coin photo. It is a nice specimen.
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