(1790) Church 1D Albany, New York 'D' Above, BN VF35BN 认证号08894073, PCGS号610

P. Scott Rubin

The extremely rare Albany Church Penny with “D” is one of two varieties of copper Pennies issued in 1790 by the First Presbyterian Church of Albany New York. The entire issue of both varieties is believed to be one thousand coppers struck. These are uniface strikes meaning only one side of the coin was struck from a die; the legend on this variety is “D CHURCH Penny” in three lines. On the other variety the “D” is not included.

There are probably less than ten specimens known of this variety. The coins in some cases are struck over copper coins of the era and the undertype is visible on some specimens.

These were ordered under a proclamation of the Church elders on January 4th, 1790. While these copper Church Pennies may be the only such coins struck, at least two other Presbyterian and five Reformed Dutch Church’s issued paper currency in New York shortly in the early 1790’s. All but one of the Church currency issues included a one penny denomination and the highest denomination was sixpence.