New York Currency
March 5, 1776
An emission of £55,000 ($137,000) in legal tender bills of credit payable in Spanish milled dollars with an additional 6,000 $1/8 bills included on August 13, 1776. This issue was redeemable in three sections by March 1 of 1779, 1780 or 1781. Similar to the issue of September 2, 1775 with additional fractional denominations. Three engraved border cuts and the state arms on the front and border cuts with an emblem and motto on the back. The mottos and emblems come from the emblem book of J.C. Weigles. Printed by Samuel Loudon on thick paper. Denominations issued were: $1/8 (1s), $1/6 (1s4d), $1/4 (2s), $1/3 (2s8d), $1/2, $2/3 (5s4d), $1, $2, $3, $5 and $10.obv
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$1/3 Serial Number: 16390 NY 03/05/76
Signers: John H. Thompson, Charles Duryee.
Size: 65 x 105 mm (front border dimensions: 59 x 97 mm; back border dimensions: 58 x 97 mm).
Comments: This bill is denominated as $1/3 and as 2s8d. According to Newman bills were signed by Jacob K. Duryee but this examples appears to have Charles Duryee. Seal of the City of New York on front right. The emblem on the back depicts three linked wreaths, probably a military decoration, with the motto: "His ornari aut mori" (To be decorated with these or to die).
Provenance: EANA mail bid auction 04/20/96 Lot 516. Purchased through the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Endowment.
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$2/3 Serial Number: 24033 NY 03/05/76
Signers: Cornelius Ray, William Heyer.
Size: not available.
Comments: This bill is denominated as $2/3 and as 5s4d. Seal of the City of New York on front right. According to Newman the emblem on the back depicts an eagle with the motto: "Fortis a forte" (Strength comes from strength). No reproduction of the back was available.
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 517.
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$1 Serial Number: 4,177 NY 03/05/76
Signers: Cornelius Ray, William Heyer (very light)
Size: 66.5 x 109 mm (front border dimensions: 62 x 104 mm; back border dimensions: 62 x 105 mm).
Comments: First signature and numbering in brown ink, second signature very faded in red. Seal of the City of New York on front right. The emblem on the back depicts a bundle of wheat with the moto "Acervus e parvis Grandis" (Great accumulation from small things). Printed by Samuel Loudon in New York.
Provenance: EANA mail bid auction 1/18/97 Lot 326. Purchased through the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Endowment.
