Imagine living in early colonial America—there’s no paper money, and coins are few and far between. Instead, everyday trade is handled through barter: your bushels of grain for someone else’s tobacco, or perhaps a few fish for gunpowder. This was daily life in the 1600s and early 1700s.

But as the colonies expanded and began dealing more with Europe, foreign coins—mainly from England, France, and Spain—started circulating. These coins were helpful but didn’t fully solve the problem. So, some colonies began minting their own money, like Massachusetts with its famous “Pine Tree Shillings.” Others had coins made abroad specifically for use in the colonies.

Today, these coins are prized not just for their rarity, but for what they represent: the first steps toward an American identity. Some can be bought for just a few dollars, while others are worth thousands. And if you’ve got one, we’d love to see it.