(1616) Sommer Islands (Bermuda) Coinage

The Sommer Islands issues bear the distinction of being the first coins struck for the English colonies in the Americas nearly 400 years ago.

One may question the inclusion of these Bermudan coins in the Guide Book of US Coins, but, like some other issues listed on this site, Sommer Islands pieces have long been collected as part of the American colonial series as much for traditional and romantic reasons as for historical and technical reasons.

The series includes Twopence, Threepence, Sixpence and Shilling denominations, with a number of sub varieties.  All pieces depict a wild hog on the obverse (hence the nickname Hogge Money) and a galleon on the reverse.

All were struck in copper and silvered at time of issue.

Nearly all surviving specimens were excavated on the island of Bermuda and most bear witness to centuries exposed to the elements.  Few retain any silvering at all; typical survivors are rough and show signs of corrosion or verdigris.

All are prohibitively rare today.