Mike F. writes: I have a coin/token/medallion that I would like to know if people collect.
A copper coin slightly larger than a quarter: front side inscription ‘NOVA CAESAREA’ with what appears to be a horse head near the center. Reverse inscription ‘E PLURIBUS UNUM’ with a shield in the center with horizontal lines on the top and vertical lines on the bottom. Date appears to be 1780 something.
The Nova Caesarea is a New Jersey copper issued in 1786 and 1787 and is State coinage minted before the United States Government built a Mint in Philadelphia. U.S. coinage didn’t officially begin until 1793. The obverse shows a horse’s head with a plow and the legend NOVA CAESAREA, which represented New Jersey. The reverse shows a United States Shield and the legend E PLURIBUS UNUM (one composed of many). There are lots of varieties but values can be from about $35 to several $1000 dollars depending on the state of preservation, the variety and the date.
