June 20, 1744, Province of ye Massachusetts Bay, Colonial Currency Contemporary Counterfeit Note, Twenty Shillings, New Tenor (Six Pounds, Old Tenor), (value of 4 oz. Silver), Ex: Ford-Boyd, PCGS graded Choice Fine-15.
Fr. MA-132CFT. An exceedingly rare early Colonial era “Tall Note” having only dashes, instead of specific values, listed in the Newman reference on page 204 in the 5th edition for this issue, and similarly in Friedberg. The note measures 105mm x 140mm, being well printed Two-Sided. It is well centered and fully boldly “Signed” by R. Hale, S. Watts, J. Quincy, and S. Welles, the word “Counterfeit” faintly penned in the signature block.

Expert cataloger Bruce Hagen, the Ford catalog writer noted, “The face printing is far weaker than it should be and is similar to the Two Pence and Three Pence counterfeits in this (Ford) collection.” The details holder states pieces added, multiple repairs, design redrawn, we note that since the Ford sale some strips of old paper reinforcement were expertly removed from the back of this note during the curatorial process; it looks like a better far more natural note now to our eyes. A rarity as a counterfeit, and a rarity as a genuine note. Bids here will be busy, fueled by collectors who know the wait for a genuine note could be nearly interminable, while a “genuine” period counterfeit would fill the proverbial bill admirably. Please know that the staff at PCGS erroneously stated on the holder that this is a 20s note Fr. MA-131CF, whereas they apparently missed the six printed “30s” denominations on this note which EAHA has correctly attributed. Patience for something which may not exist, or pounce on this great rarity ... that is the question.

Pedigree: From Stack’s sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, May 2004, Lot 538.