Virginia: October 5, 1778
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    Virginia Currency

    October 5, 1778

    An emission of $1,700,000 (£510,000) in treasury bills issued without legal tender status but made legal tender in March 1781. Like other contemporary Virginia emissions, this series was valued in Spanish Milled Dollars. The issue used the revised Virginia state arms on the front showing Liberty as a soldier trampling a foe. Denominations of $15 and below use the same cuts as the previous issue of May 4, 1778, with the new date typeset. Control letters are also used and typeset on the notes. This issue has a blank reverse and is printed on heavy rag paper containing blue fibers and mica flakes. There was one signer on denominations of a dollar and below and two signers on higher denominations. The two highest denominations were indented large size bills completely typeset. Denominations issued were $1/6, $1/4, $1/3, $2/3, $1, $3, $5, $7, $10, $15, $50 (£15) and $100 (£30).

    obv


    $1                   unnumbered                 VA 10/05/78

    Signers: unsigned remainder

    Size: 64 x 93mm (front border design trimmed).

    Comments: An unsigned and unnumbered remainder in poor condition. The state insignia appears on the left displaying Liberty as a soldier triumphant over her foe with the partly obscured motto: "Sic semper tyrannis" (So always to tyrants); above are the control letters hp. The bottom half of the blank back has been backed with repair paper. Click here to view the blank back.

    Provenance: Purchased through the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Endowment from the EANA mail bid auction of 01/18/97, lot 401.
    obv


    $15                   Serial Number: 801                 VA 10/05/78

    Signers: L. Wood, James Wray

    Size: 65 x 95mm (front border design: 63 x 92mm).

    Comments: The numbering and first signature are in a light brown ink, while the second signature is in black. The state insignia appears on left showing Liberty as a soldier triumphant over her foe with the motto: "Sic semper tyrannis" (So always to tyrants). Above the insignia are the typeset control letters dt (partly obscured). Click here to view the blank back.

    Provenance: Purchased through the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Endowment from the EANA mail bid auction of 01/18/97, lot 401.