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