Continental Currency: February 17, 1776
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  • Continental Currency Index

    Continental Currency

    February 17, 1776 continued


    obv


    $1                   Serial Number: 22,902                  CC 02/17/76

    Signer: James Ash (in red), Samuel Massey.

    Size: not available

    Comments: The numbering and first signature in red while the second signature is in black ink. The emblem on the front shows an acanthus plant with a large weighted pot or basket pressing it down, however the acanthus leaves grow up around the pot. Above is the motto: "Depressa resurgit" (Having been pressed down, it rises up again). The nature print on the back contains a ragweed leaf and two willow leaves. No image of the back is available. Paper contains blue threads and mica flakes.

    Courtesy of Early American Numismatic Auctions, Inc.   Images used with permission from their on-line auction catalog for the auction of April 20, 1996, lot 383.

    obv rev


    $2                   Serial Number: 18,200                  CC 02/17/76

    Signer: John Sellers (in red), Isaac Pearson.

    Size: 74 x 95mm (front border design: 70 x 92mm; back border design: 68 x 89mm).

    Comments: Numbering and first signature in red ink; the signature in brown ink. The emblem on the front (39mm) shows grain being threshed with a flail and the motto: "Tribulatio ditat" (It is enriched by affliction). The nature print on the back is of a rasberry and two filbert leaves and is identical to a nature print used on earlier Pennsylvania currency. The paper contains blue threads and mica flakes.

    Provenance: Purchased through the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Endowment from the collection of William Warne of Harvey Cedars, NJ on 5/1/98.

    obv rev


    $5                   Serial Number: 62,633                  CC 02/17/76

    Signer: William Webb, Issac Hazlehurst (in red ink).

    Size: 73 x 95mm (front border design: 69.5 x 91mm; back border design: 67 x 88mm).

    Comments: Numbering and second signature in red; first signature in black ink. This is the most difficult emblem in the series to understand. Benjamin Franklin explained the Continental Currency emblems in a letter published under the pseudonym of Clericus in the Pennsylvania Gazette of September 20, 1775. For the five dollar emblem he explained:
    ...we have a thorny bush, which a hand seems attempting to eradicate. The hand appears to bleed, as pricked by spines. The motto is, SUSTINE VEL ABSTINE; which may be rendered, Bear with me, or let me alone; or thus, Either support or leave me. The bush I suppose to mean America, the bleeding hand Britain. Would to God that bleeding were stopt, the wounds of that hand healed, and its future operations directed by wisdom and equity; so shall the hawthorn flourish, and form an hedge around it, annoying with her thorns only its invading enemies. [B. Franklin, Writings, ed. by J.A. Leo Lemay, 1987, pp. 734-738 on p. 735.]
    The nature print on the back is of betony and sage and is identical to the nature print used on previously issued Pennsylvania currency. Paper contains blue threads and mica flakes.

    Provenance: Purchased through the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Endowment from the EANA mail bid auction of 12/2/95, lot 392.

    obv rev


    $7                   Serial Number: 63,410                  CC 02/17/76

    Signer: John Mease (in red ink), John Purviance

    Size: 76 x 100mm (front border design: 70 x 91.5mm; back border design: 68 x 89mm).

    Comments: Numbering and first signature in red ink; second signature in black ink. The emblem on the front shows a storm at sea with the motto: "Serenabit" (It will clear up). The nature print on the back is of bettercup. Paper contains blue threads and mica flakes.

    Provenance: Purchased through the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Endowment from the EANA mail bid auction of 11/16/96, lot 471.