July 8, 1775, Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, Sixteen Shillings, Only 667 Printed, Not Cancelled, Early Revolutionary War 6% Interest bearing financing note, Copper-Plate Engraved Printed by Paul Revere, Jr., Uniface design, Ex: John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, PCGS Banknote graded Choice Fine-15.
Fr. MA-155. This extremely rare genuine early Revolutionary War note of only 667 Printed and Issued to be returned into the Treasury just one year later in 1776. Impressively printed on laid period paper off the original Copper-Plate Engraved by Paul Revere. This note displays wide full margins, with the left side indent margin being partial, as intended, with the Patriotic political statement “(Am)ican Paper.” clearly printed and easily viewed. Revere earlier engraved the Portrait of Reverend Samuel Willard on the opposite side of this Copper-Plate which is still held in the Massachusetts Statehouse archives. Serial No. 5459 is crossed out in “Error” and changed to No. 4717 in brown ink above. Signed by “H(enry) Gardner” as Receiver General (Treasurer), measuring 167 mm x 81 mm, Uniface in design, backed with laid period paper with a penciled notation at upper right that reads “at 11-20-(19)30 Elder Sale”. Its PCGS details holder comments repairs, backed. This important Uniface note displays the superior overall eye appeal of Choice Very Fine both face and back. This issue is exceedingly rare, especially for this July 8, 1775 issue having a due date, to be return back to the treasury of May 25th, 1776 just a year later. Overall, quite similar in quality to the illustrated Plate note for this issue on page 207, where it is valued at $6,000 in Fine and $9,000 in Very Fine with no higher valuations due to its rarity. PMG has not certified any Fr.-155 note to date. An outstanding Paul Revere engraved July 8, 1775 Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, Sixteen Shillings genuine note.

Overall, is extremely well centered and bright, being a very appealing survivor from an authorization of only 667 notes. Most of these long notes were heavily worn, many to pieces when in circulation, many others were hole or manuscript canceled, or otherwise removed from commerce by the treasury. That any specimens survive today is a lasting tribute to earlier generations of Colonial note collectors. That this present note exists today, especially in such a pleasing high state of preservation, is a call to all collectors stimulate interest to acquire it to further preserve this exceptional historic bit of “pocket change” produced by Paul Revere on “American Paper” from our Revolutionary War colonial era.

Pedigree: From Stack’s sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part X, May, 2005, Lot 4642; Kagin’s Auction 2023 Lot 188, Current consignor.

[American Revolution, Revolutionary War, Massachusetts] [Paul Revere, Continental Currency, War Finance] [Currency, Colonial Currency, Numismatics, Exonumia]