New York Currency
March 5, 1776 - NYC Waterworks
An emission of £2,000 in promissory notes from New York City, called the fourth Water Works issue. (The first issue, which was the first paper currency issued by an individual city, was from August 25, 1774). Note the numeral 4 over the initial T indicating the fourth issue. This code was only used in the third and fourth issues. In the same style as the previous issues with a white paper on the front and a darker and coarser paper on the back. Printed by Hugh Gaine with red and black on the front and black on the back, The front had a border cut at the top but the other borders are type set. The cut is by Elisha Gallaudet who also did the illustration on the back of a steam operated water pump proposed by Christopher Colles. Denominations issued were: 4s and 8s.obv
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4s Serial Number: 1118 NYC 03/05/76
Signers: Benjamin Bragge.
Size: 89 x 69 mm (front border design: 88 x 68mm; back border design: 52 x 65mm).
Comments: Signed and numbered in brown ink. A small 4 over the 'T' in "THIS" indiactes this is the fourth Water Works issue.
Provenance: From the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Collection.
