New York Currency
August 2, 1775 - NYC Waterworks
An emission of £2,500 in promissory notes from New York City, called the second Water Works issue. (The first issue, which was the first paper currency issued by an individual city, was from August 25, 1774). Printed by Hugh Gaine with red and black on the front and black on the back. The front has 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. The back of these bills has a darker and coarser paper than the front. A 1s note was authorized but never issued. Denominations issued were: 2s, 4s and 8s.obv
rev
8s Serial Number: 5900 NYC 08/02/75
Signers: Whitehead Hicks, George Brewerton.
Size: 60 x 98 mm (front border design: 54 x 92mm; back border design: 52 x 84mm).
Comments: First signature and numbering in dark brown and second sinature in light brown ink. .
Provenance: EANA mail bid auction 1/13/96 Lot 414. Purchased through the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Endowment.
