South Carolina: October 19, 1776
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    South Carolina Currency

    March 6, 1776

    An emission of £750,000 in bills of credit authorized by the Second Provisional Congress of South Carolina. Denominatins of £3 and below were typeset with higher denominations printed from engraved copper plates. The notes come in four progressively increasing sizes with the two largest denomination have printed backs. The engraved denominations each have a vignette. Issued on thin white paper with engraved denominatins also on blue paper. Denominations issued were: 1s3d, 2s3d, 3s9d, 5s, 6s3d, 12s6d, 17s6d, £1 10s, £1 15s, £2, £2 5s, £3, £15, £25, £50 and £100.

    obv


    £25                   Serial Number: 3648                  SC 03/06/76

    Signers: Jacob Motte, Thomas Savage and Alexander Moultrie.

    Size: 81 x 121mm (obverse border design, 79 x 117mm).

    Comments: Numbered and signed in light brown inks. The seal (27mm) depicts a falled tree in the foreground with a sturdy tree in full bloom in the background with the motto: "MELIOREM LAPSA LOCAVIT" (Having fallen away it found a better place). To give the roman capital letters in the main text some depth, the tops of the letters were recut slightly higher. This unsuccessful attempt gives the letters the effect of being double struck. Printed on thin white paper. Click here to view the blank back.

    Provenance: Purchased through the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Endowment from the EAHA mail bid auction of 12/13/97, lot 297, graded Choice About Extremely Fine.

    obv rev


    £50                   Serial Number: 2101                  SC 03/06/76

    Signers: Jacob Motte, Samuel Legare, Thomas Savage and William Gibbes.

    Size: 86 x 132mm (obverse border design, 85 x 130.5mm; reverse design, 84 x 132mm).

    Comments: Numbered and signed in light brown inks with the vertical signature of Gibbes near the left border quite faded. The seal (39mm) depicts military trophies with the motto: ANIMIS OPISBUSQUE PARATI . (Prepared both in spirit and military might). The back contains a geometric design with the motto DEUS PUGNAVIT ET DISSIPANTUR (God has fought and they were dispersed) along the sides in scrolls. There is a handwritten annotation on the back "Wilkenson" (?). Printed on thin blue paper.

    Provenance: Purchased through the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Endowment from the EAHA mail bid auction of 03/28/98, lot 374, graded Very Fine.