Owner Comments:
Pictured above is the rare, but collectible, 1786 Vermont Baby Head copper graded F 12 BN by NGC. The coin, which is arguably the most popular Vermont variety, has been assigned the Bressett 7-F, or alternatively, the RR-9 (Ryder/Richardson) designations. It was struck at Reuben Harmon, Jr.'s mint in Rupert Vermont from dies prepared by William Coley, a New York City silversmith, (possibly with punches and/or hubs supplied by Abell Buell or James F. Atlee).
On 6/15/1785, Vermont became the first local government to authorize a mint to produce coins. Vermont was then an independent republic, which did not attain official statehood status until 3/4/1791, when it became our 14th state. (Prior to this, at various times, both New York and New Hampshire had laid claim to its territories.)
The first Vermont coinage series featured a novel "landscape" motif, with a sun rising over the Green Mountains, and a farm plow in the foreground. Although this initial design was well received, after two years Harmon concluded that the use of Connecticut style bust coppers, with their stereotypical designs, would better promote the use of his coins in day to day commerce. In fact, the Baby Head variety was the first attempt at a Vermont bust copper. The unique obverse and reverse dies were not used on any other Vermont coinage. The reverse die was the first to introduce a seated liberty figure.
Although some have viewed the infantile design as amateurish, Tony Carlotto has emphasized the high quality of the dies, and a definitive purpose for the design - i.e. the head of a young child is representative of the fledgling Republic of Vermont. An alternative theory is that the coin is a tribute to the children of Reuben Harmon, Jr. (He eventually had 11 children.) The large rounded head is very similar to the 1786 Miller 3-D Scholar's Head counterfeit Connecticut copper variety, which may have served as a model for William Coley.
Most Vermont coppers are found in lower grades, weakly struck, and exhibit planchets notorious for the following characteristics: varying diameters, thickness, and weights; porous rough surfaces; fissures, cracks and voids; and dark brown or black discolorations attributable to oxidation. It is a tribute to the commonness of these problems, that the above pictured coin, with numerous deep fissures, has no negative comments noted on the NGC slab.
The Baby Head bust exhibits some comical characteristics: part of the wreath atop the head resembles a cowlick; and the obverse ribbon tying the wreath is set so low that looks like a fastener on a baby's bib. Although seldom seen, a well struck piece should display four wheat sheaves on the reverse shield. Finally, this is the only Vermont variety with the obverse legend verbiage "Auctori :"to the viewers left, and "Vermon :" to the right.
The best known example of the Baby Head variety, which was once stolen, and has since been recovered, is at the Bennington Museum in Vermont.