Books and Manuscripts: Rare Americana

Rare Paul Revere-Engraved Currency Note Issued to Pay Massachusetts Soldiers at the Outbreak of the American Revolution

Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, May 25, 1775. One oblong sheet, 3 1/4 x 6 1/2 in. (82 x 165 mm). Partially-printed Colony of the Massachusetts Bay 20 shilling note (No. 72), engraved by American Patriot and silversmith Paul Revere: "The Possesor of this Note shall be Intitled to receive out of the publick Treasury of this Colony the sum of Twenty shillings lawfull Money on the twenty fifth day of May AD 1776 with Interest at the rate of Six PrCt. pr Annum..."; indented along left edge from when cut, "(America)n Paper" printed at same; signed by Henry Gardner as Receiver General, bottom right, and now crossed out; counter-signed by Jed(edia)h: Foster, bottom left. Brigham pp. 142-44; Newman, p. 202; See Anderson MA-1 for his note concerning this currency issue.

A rare Massachusetts colonial currency note, engraved by Paul Revere shortly after the outbreak of the American Revolution, and issued to pay soldiers fighting for the Revolutionary cause. This note is one of only 4,333 copies printed, and was part of the very first currency issued by the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, on May 25, 1775. "After ordering the £100,000 issue of notes upon which money could be borrowed for the Colony, the Provincial Congress took up the matter of providing advance pay for the soldiers through one-year notes...soldiers would be paid twenty shillings, lawful money, as advance pay, or if they would accept, they would be paid forty shillings in three notes on 6 per cent interest to be paid one year from the date of the notes. The resolve provided for an issue of £26,000, made up in notes of 20, 18, 16, 15, 14, 12, 10, 9, and 6 shillings, with 4333 of each denomination." (Brigham, p. 142). In 1751, prior to the printing of these notes, Massachusetts was barred by British Parliament from printing and issuing its own paper notes. This note was issued only a month following the Battles of Lexington and Concord, on April 19, 1775.

A lovely example of an historic document.