Owner Comments:
Pictured above, is a 1787 Machin Mills Halfpence graded AU 55 by PCGS, and designated Vlack 21-87D (W7970). The obverse profile of George III, facing right, features thick fish-like pursed lips, created with an apostrophe punch. Although not accentuated on this piece, Machin Mills coins usually sport large triangular denticles. Reverse diagnostics for this variety include: the hand holding the branch lying opposite the right leg of the "A" in Britannia; her pole pointing between the date's 1 and 7; and a double line above the date. This specimen exhibits a strong die clash. Note the Roman Numeral "III", clearly visible to the left of the effigy's head. The later die states of this variety show substantial weakness in the tops of the peripheral lettering, and in the date. Approximately 125 - 250 examples survive today.
Captain Thomas Machin, after whom the private mint located on Orange Pond near Newburgh, N.Y. was named, was a very interesting character in his own right. Although born in England, and at one time an officer in the British military, he ultimately proved his true allegiances to the American cause. Early on, he participated in the Boston Tea Party, and was wounded at the Battle of Bunker Hill. His talents as an army engineer, canal builder, cartographer, and surveyor did not go unrecognized by George Clinton, the Governor of NY, and George Washington who dispatched him to fortify and defend the Hudson River. Machin masterminded the deployment of "The Great Chain" that spanned the Hudson near West Point to keep British vessels from navigating its waters. He distinguished himself at Yorktown, where he sank an enemy ship.
Although Machin had no prior coining experience, he entered into an Agreement on 4/18/1887 with 5 other partners from NYC. Machin constructed the mint buildings, and managed the business along with James F. Atlee, a partner and die maker, who provided the initial coining implements. On 6/7/1887, another Agreement added 4 additional partners, including Reuben Harmon, Jr., who had the legal right to coin Vermont coppers, and others that had substantial experience as silversmiths and engravers.
Machin Mills was never an officially authorized mint. As such, it ventured into several shady areas to promote profitability. It minted: numerous imitation English halfpence; lightweight and carelessly made issues with legends relating to Connecticut and NY; and legal Vermont emissions in 1787 and 1788. Dies were altered, and planchets artificially toned, to simulate wear to ensure its coins' ready acceptance into commerce. Through carelessness, numerous illogical die combinations resulted. Business was carried on with great secrecy. Legend has it, that some employees wore scary masks to ward off curious locals.
The Machin Mills Mint operated from mid 1787 to 1790. This was a longer period than any state authorized mint lasted. Two factors contributed to the ultimate demise of the mint: A 1789 copper panic in NY State dramatically reduced the value of this medal; and the adoption of the Federal Constitution precluded the further issuance of state
coinage.