January 15, 1741/42, Province of ye Massachusetts Bay, Copper-Plate Engraved Unique PROOF, Twenty Shillings, New Tenor (or Four Pounds, Old Tenor), Unique, The Newman Plate Note, PCGS graded Uncirculated-60.
Fr. MA-99PR. This unique Proof note is sharply printed on sturdy laid period paper printed from the engraved copper-plates by Kneeland and Green. As a Proof specimen there is no serial number or signatures, as intended. On the signature line written in clear brown ink it reads: “Copy from The Plate” (written vertically). This “Tall Note” measures 100mm x 140mm, printed on both sides. The face side is very well centered, the reverse more towards the right edge.

This is a truly gorgeous note, exceptional for the era, despite PCGS qualifiers; repairs, design redrawn, piece added, contemporary notation. The bottom left corner at the Lion vignette, about 1” x .5” was restored and expertly conserved, otherwise this note is crisp and undeniably highly attractive. As written by cataloger Bruce Hagen in the 2004 Ford catalog, “Not issued, but a ‘Proof’ from the engraved face plate (so-called First Plate) and with the typeset back printed also... this striking certainly was done contemporary to the period and probably used for counterfeit detection.”

The back has some old faint penciled collector notations reading: “old bill unsigned” / “6,000 issued” and “msxy” (which is Boyd’s cost code, indicating he paid $75 for this note likely circa 1910). This unique note represents the finest example of the issue extant. You likely do not have any example of this exceedingly rare issue. Prepare to bid as though you will never have another opportunity to acquire this lot.

Pedigree Ex: F.C.C. Boyd Estate; Stack’s sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, May 2004, Lot 529.