Maryland: December 7, 1775
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    Maryland Currency

    December 7, 1775


    An emission of $535,111 to replace the July 26, 1775 issue and to be used for military expenses. The notes were to be payable by January 1, 1786 in gold or silver at the rate of 4s6d sterling per dollar. A new emblem was added to the back depicting an arm holding a shield (with the hand clenching the strap of the shield and holding a victory laurel) with the motto "Sub clypeo" (Behind the shield). The borders on the front were engraved in Philadelphia. The notes were printed by Frederick Green in Annapolis. Each bill had two signers and were issued in denominations of: $1/9, $1/6, $1/3, $1/2, $2/3, $1, $1 1/3, $2, $2 2/3, $4, $6 and $8.

    obv rev


    $1/9                   Serial Number: 25,244                 MD 12/07/75

    Signers: Frederick Green, Nicholas Harwood.

    Size: 72 x 92mm (front border design: 70 x 90mm; back border design: 62 x 78mm).

    Comments: Numbered and signatured in brown ink. Four engraved border cuts on the front. Note the fraction in the upper right corner of the top border. A new emblem was added to the back depicting an arm holding a shield (with the hand clenching the strap of the shield and holding a victory laurel) with the motto "Sub clypeo" (Behind the shield).

    Provenance: EANA mail bid auction 04/20/96 lot 548. Purchased through the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Endowment.

    obv rev


    $4                   Serial Number: 489                 MD 12/07/75

    Signers: Jeremiah Banning, Joseph Bruff (in red).

    Size: 71 x 91mm (front border design: 70 x 90mm; back border design: 62 x 78mm).

    Comments: Numbered and first signature in black ink; second signature in red. Four engraved border cuts on the front. A new emblem was added to the back depicting an arm holding a shield (with the hand clenching the strap of the shield and holding a victory laurel) with the motto "Sub clypeo" (Behind the shield). A portion of a handwritten pen annotation that had been written on the note before the sheet was cut is visible on the back in the upper margin.

    Provenance: EANA mail bid auction 1/13/96 lot 361. Purchased through the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Endowment.