Higley "Broad Axe" threepence token

Dateca. 1738

Issued by Dr. Samuel Higley

MediumCopper

DimensionsDiameter: 27.5 mm

Credit LineGift of the Lasser family

Object number2002-77,7

DescriptionObverse: Deer standing to left. Pointing left hand and 5-pointed star in exergue.

Reverse: Broad axe to left.
Label TextBefore becoming an entrepreneur and metallurgist, Dr. Samuel Higley was a schoolmaster and surgeon. After buying copper-rich property near Granby, Dr. Higley began to export large quantities of the metal to England. Seeing a chance to capitalize on the need for small change, in 1737 Dr. Higley began to strike his own tokens with a number of different designs. He was lost at sea later that year and it is believed his brother John continued to strike tokens until 1739.

Most of the very few surviving Higley tokens are heavily worn, and are the first base-metal issues struck in the British American colonies.

Breen - 244
InscribedObverse: "VALUE ME AS YOU PLEASE," "III" below deer in exergue.

Reverse: "J CUT MY WAY THROUGH."
ProvenancePurchased from Tony Terranova, 16 April 1999