The E-Sylum:  Volume 10, Number 8, February 25, 2007, Article 19

WILLIAMSBURG COLONIAL COINS WEBSITE

Ken Berger writes: "I checked out the Williamsburg website regarding
coins used in Colonial America. Unfortunately, I find it a bit lacking.
May I suggest that the readers examine the University of Notre Dame
website run by Louis Jordan. In many aspects it is better. In fact,
I have even contributed to it.

"For example, the Williamsburg website makes no mention of the coins
which would have been used in New Sweden. This Swedish colony was
much closer to Williamsburg than the Dutch colonies, so we can assume
that Swedish coins (e.g. Riksdaler) circulated in Williamsburg.

"Likewise, the website discusses the Lion Dollar but makes no mention
of the Rijksdaalder (aka Rix Dollar). Numerous authors/numismatists
(myself included) have argued that the Rijksdaalder and not the Spanish
8 Reales was America's first dollar coin. In fact, a Massachusetts court
in 1642 wrote that "... the rix dollar being 2 1/2 gilders (sic) shall
be likewise current at 5 shillings, ...".  If the rijksdaalder was
being encountered as far north as Massachusetts, it most certainly
had to be encountered in Williamsburg. Definitely, the Dutch
rijksdaalder needs to be included.

"Finally, I would argue that wampum should also be included since
it was used as a form of currency.

"I examined the website for an email address so I could voice my
concerns. Unfortunately, none was listed."

Ken adds: "Here's just a little more info justifying the statements in my
previous email. (I have a ton of research material on the coins used
in the U.S. colonies. I keep saying I'm going to write a book but
never have the time).

"On the Rijksdaalder & Riksdaler: In the south, New Netherland took
all of New Jersey & established Fort Nassau in 1626 near the southern
end of NJ & a whaling colony at what is now Lewes, DE. They also
constructed Fort Beversrede in 1648 (at Philadelphia). In 1655,
they defeated New Sweden (Wilmington, DE) and occupied it. In 1664,
the colony was seized by the English & briefly returned to the Dutch
in 1673

"Thus we see the extensive holdings of the Dutch (& therefore their
coinage) and the closeness of New Sweden to Williamsburg.

"Wampum: On 18 April 1641, New Netherland passed a law stating that
when taxes were due the treasury would only accept the poor beads
(of wampum) if they were strung and then at a rate of 5 per stuiver.
During 1637-1641, MA & CT were also passing their first legislation
to regulate wampum. In MA, wampum was only legal tender for sums
under 12 pence. On 27 October 1648, the General Court of Charleston
voted to officially accept wampum."

 Coins & Currency in Colonial America (Colonial Williamsburg)
 history.org/history/museums/coinExhibit/

 The Coins of Colonial and Early America (University of Notre Dame)
 coins.nd.edu/ColCoin/

  Wayne Homren, Editor

	coinbooks.org Web

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