1739 Higley Copper Threepence - Broad Axe, VALUE ME AS YOU PLEASE

Coin Details

Auction Record

$28,200 • G4 PCGS • 03-2020 • Stack's Bowers

Description

Bearing the defiant legend "VALUE ME AS YOU PLEASE," this 1739 Higley Copper Threepence features a broad axe on the reverse and represents one of the most characterful issues in all of American colonial numismatics. Cataloged as W-8265, Freidus 3.2-D, and Breen 244, with an extremely rare R.7 rating of approximately 5-8 known examples, most surviving specimens are heavily worn or damaged — consistent with the hard circulation these utilitarian coppers endured. The Higley coppers were produced from copper mined at the Higley family's mine in Granby, Connecticut, initially bearing the legend "THE VALUE OF THREE PENCE" but reportedly changed to "VALUE ME AS YOU PLEASE" after merchants objected that the tokens were not worth three pence. The broad axe reverse symbolizes the mining and metalworking that produced the copper, while the obverse typically depicts a deer. Weighing approximately 9 grams with a 28 mm diameter and plain edge, these copper tokens were struck from locally mined and refined metal, making them one of the few American colonial issues produced entirely from domestic materials. An auction record of $28,200 for a G4 PCGS specimen at Stack's Bowers in March 2020 demonstrates that even heavily circulated examples command substantial prices. This piece belongs to the Pre-1776 Private and Regional Issues (1616-1766) series and stands as one of the most famous and frequently cited coins in American numismatic history.

Rarity Notes

R.7. Approximately 5-8 known examples. Most heavily worn or damaged.

Cross References

W-8265, Freidus 3.2-D, Breen 244