Pennsylvania Currency
April 25, 1759
An emission of £100,000 in legal tender bills of credit to support military expenditures associated with the French and Indian War. The bills were to be valid until March 1, 1767 but this was extended until October 15, 1769. Funds to pay for the redemption of this issue were to be raised from taxes. The Penn family arms is on the front and a nature print is on the back. Printed by Benjamin Franklin and David Hall in Philadelphia. Each denomination has both plates A and B except the 50s notes which bear the plate letters C and D. The spelling of the colony name "Pennsylvania" differs on most denominations (as "Pensilvania" on the 5s, "Pennsilvania" on the 10s and "Pensylvania" on the 20s and 50s notes). It is thought Franklin did this as an anti-counterfeiting device. The two highest issues are printed in red and black, the others only in black. Denominations issued were: 5s, 10s, 15s, 20s, 50s and £5.obv
rev
15s Plate A Serial Number: 4897 PA 04/25/59
Signers: Evan Morgan, Thomas Tilbury.
Size: 90 x 73mm (front border design: 87 x 70mm; back border design: 85 x 67mm).
Comments: The Penn family arms appear in the center right. The denomination is keyed to three crowns. The colony name appears as "Pennsylvania ". On the back the denomination is again keyed to three crowns located below Hall's name. There is a nature print of a fern branch on the back. Printed by Benjamin Franklin and David Hall.
Provenance: From the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Collection.
