New York Currency
September 2, 1775
An emission of $112,500 (£45,000) in legal tender bills of credit payable in Spanish milled dollars or the same value in gold or silver. Half of the bills were to be due on March 1, 1776 and the rest on March 1, 1777, but with both due dates extended one year. This issue, the first New York issue denominated in dollars has newly engraved borders, City arms, and emblems cuts with the emblems and mottos on the reverse derived from an emblem book by J. C. Weigels. Printed by John Holt of New York City on thick paper. Originally there were three signers but by a resolution of December 16, 1775 this was reduced to two. Denominations issued were: $1/2, $1, $2, $3, $5 and $10.obv
rev
$1 Serial Number: 2057 NY 09/02/75
Signers: William Denning (faded brown ink), Robert Ray.
Size: 64 x 107 mm (front border dimensions: 64 x 105mm; back border dimensions: 63 (trimmed) x 105).
Comments: Numbered in black ink; first signature in reddish-brown ink; second in black. Seal of the City of New York on front right. The emblem on the back depicts a sheaf of wheat with the motto: "Acervus e parvis grandis" (A massive stack from small things).
Provenance: EANA mail bid auction 12/2/95 Lot 485. Purchased through the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Endowment.
obv
rev
$10 Serial Number: 2670 (faded) NY 09/02/75
Signers: Anthony L. Bleecker, another in red is faded.
Size: 64 x 109 mm (front border dimensions: 67 x 105mm; back border dimensions: 67 x 104).
Comments: Numbered and first signature in very faded red ink; second in brown ink. Seal of the City of New York on front right. In the upper boder cut is a sheaf of wheat and a ship. The emblem on the back depicts an elephant with the motto: "Par viribus virtus" (Virtue is euqal to strength).
Provenance: EANA mail bid auction 04/20/96 Lot 513. Purchased through the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Endowment.
