July 17, 1775 Current Money of Virginia, Five Pounds, Large Format London Note, Engraved by (John) “Ashby, sclp.”, PMG graded Very Fine-20.
Fr. VA-80b. An impressive looking Virginia, July 17, 1775 £5 Revolutionary War Period note, PMG certified Very Fine-20. (Conservatively Graded). This note is the highest denomination on this Virginia currency issue, seen much less often than the others especially in such pleasing appearance. Only 3,294 of these £5 notes were printed being the lowest number of notes issued. Engraved by “John Ashby, sclp.” as identified by his name appearing in small printed text within the left margin design, just before “TO COUNTERFEIT IS DEATH”. Fully signed and issued, Phil Johnson and John Tazewell signed this very fresh, clean highly attractive Five Pounds note on the front side, while the back was Countersigned by Robert Carter Nicholas, as Treasurer of the colony. The holder mentions ink burn, which is common to see on these thin paper notes caused by the heavily inked Robert Carter Nicholas’ signature on the blank reverse.
Virginia July 17, 1775 £5 PMG Very Fine 20. Authorized by Act after the supply of paper that was used for the small size notes printed as part of this emission ran out, Remainder notes from the earlier September 1773 issue were modified and used with the date changed to 1775. Therefore, only 3,294 of these £5 notes were printed, with few surviving today.

Robert Carter Nicholas (1728-1780) was a Member of the House of Burgesses for ten years and assisted in Drafting Resolutions Against the proposed Stamp Act in 1764. He became Treasurer of the colony in 1766.