Historical records indicate that the first coins actually struck in the original 13 U.S. colonies dates back to approximately 1652. The Spanish dollar was widely circulated in the colonies until they began officially minting a few coins in 1792. Pre-1792 coinage was also made up of tokens, coins, medals, and counterfeits. The colonial coins were issued by private individuals, private mints, and official mints outside of the colonies. For example, money used in the colony at Williamsburg came from places like England, France, Mexico, the Netherlands, and even Bolivia. Foreign coins were still accepted as legal tender until 1857—64 years after the establishment of the U.S. Mint.
