FSH: A Trio of Colonial Currency w/ Breen/Taxay Cert. Also a Breen's Encyclopedia
numisma
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I am selling three pieces of Colonial currency as either a lot or individually. They total $505 for the three, but I will sell the group for $375 dlvd. Will also discount the Breen Encyclopedia if you buy it all. Contact me via PM for payment options. Free shipping/insurance, as always.
Pennsylvania 10 shilling note, March 10, 1769 issue, signed by Abel James, Joseph Fox, and Thomas Say. Referred to as Better House Money since these bills were used to finance the relief and employment of Philadelphia''s low income citizens. This note is scarce, due primarily to the low issue quantity of 1,000 pieces, but also due to the fact that the issue circulated heavily. High grade examples are rare. This example is of poor quality, having been split into two pieces and joined together by glue, but not contemporarily. When held to a light source approximately 20 small pin holes are observed in the central region, indicating that the note may have been sewn together at some point in its early life. This variant (there are two) includes the asterisk after the date on the face.
Perhaps more important to the note itself--at least to numismatic scholars--is the inclusion of an original Colonial American Coin Club certification card that was signed by two numismatic literary icons of our time: Walter Breen and Don Taxay. Breen died in the early 1990s and the whereabouts of Taxay is unknown, although some believe that he dropped out of American society and moved to India in the late 1970s. Remnants of the First Coinvestors seal is evident and a black-and-white photocopy of the note is included (not imaged). This type of card is rare and sought after by specialists. A complete lot such as this offering rarely comes to market. Priced at $295.
Maryland $2 note, March 1, 1770 issue, serial number 3302, signed by Robert Couden and John Clapham. One of 21,000 notes issued. This denomination is popular with coin collectors in that it features two Spanish Pillar dollars on the front (one is obscured on this piece due to the overlap of the two halves, but visible in hand). Another interesting feature is a secret mark added to deter counterfeiting, which was rampant at the time. The mark on this issue is a small period above the a in Rate. Although this piece is low grade and split into two pieces, it is a curious collectible due to the means employed to join the two halves together; a colonial-era stick pin--repleat with green patination--connects the pieces. For some, the addition of a contemporary artifact adds a degree of value. Even so, this piece is reasonably priced at $115.
Connecticut 2 shillings 6 pence note, June 1, 1773 issue, serial number 3668, signed by Elisha Williams. These were issued as part of treasury notes totaling £12,000, due on June 1, 1775 (interest-free). The smallest of five denominations, this 2s6p note is typically found canceled with a hole or slash. The example offered here is not canceled and scarcer as such, although it has seen plenty of use both in and out of circulation. The note is split into two pieces but rejoined by means of sewing with thread. This was likely a contemporary repair, as sometimes seen, and the colonial-era thread, in our opinion, only adds to the charm. Although not visible in the images, there are approximately 50 pin holes along the entire periphery--purpose unknown. Overall, this is considered a "rag" and would grade at Good or lower, but for the price, it is an inexpensive relic from Colonial America. $95
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This is a near-Mint edition of Breen's Encyclopedia. It has not--in my opnion--been used much, if at all, although it does show minor signs of handling. After all, it is over 20 years old! Asking $165 dlvd.
Pennsylvania 10 shilling note, March 10, 1769 issue, signed by Abel James, Joseph Fox, and Thomas Say. Referred to as Better House Money since these bills were used to finance the relief and employment of Philadelphia''s low income citizens. This note is scarce, due primarily to the low issue quantity of 1,000 pieces, but also due to the fact that the issue circulated heavily. High grade examples are rare. This example is of poor quality, having been split into two pieces and joined together by glue, but not contemporarily. When held to a light source approximately 20 small pin holes are observed in the central region, indicating that the note may have been sewn together at some point in its early life. This variant (there are two) includes the asterisk after the date on the face.
Perhaps more important to the note itself--at least to numismatic scholars--is the inclusion of an original Colonial American Coin Club certification card that was signed by two numismatic literary icons of our time: Walter Breen and Don Taxay. Breen died in the early 1990s and the whereabouts of Taxay is unknown, although some believe that he dropped out of American society and moved to India in the late 1970s. Remnants of the First Coinvestors seal is evident and a black-and-white photocopy of the note is included (not imaged). This type of card is rare and sought after by specialists. A complete lot such as this offering rarely comes to market. Priced at $295.
Maryland $2 note, March 1, 1770 issue, serial number 3302, signed by Robert Couden and John Clapham. One of 21,000 notes issued. This denomination is popular with coin collectors in that it features two Spanish Pillar dollars on the front (one is obscured on this piece due to the overlap of the two halves, but visible in hand). Another interesting feature is a secret mark added to deter counterfeiting, which was rampant at the time. The mark on this issue is a small period above the a in Rate. Although this piece is low grade and split into two pieces, it is a curious collectible due to the means employed to join the two halves together; a colonial-era stick pin--repleat with green patination--connects the pieces. For some, the addition of a contemporary artifact adds a degree of value. Even so, this piece is reasonably priced at $115.
Connecticut 2 shillings 6 pence note, June 1, 1773 issue, serial number 3668, signed by Elisha Williams. These were issued as part of treasury notes totaling £12,000, due on June 1, 1775 (interest-free). The smallest of five denominations, this 2s6p note is typically found canceled with a hole or slash. The example offered here is not canceled and scarcer as such, although it has seen plenty of use both in and out of circulation. The note is split into two pieces but rejoined by means of sewing with thread. This was likely a contemporary repair, as sometimes seen, and the colonial-era thread, in our opinion, only adds to the charm. Although not visible in the images, there are approximately 50 pin holes along the entire periphery--purpose unknown. Overall, this is considered a "rag" and would grade at Good or lower, but for the price, it is an inexpensive relic from Colonial America. $95
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This is a near-Mint edition of Breen's Encyclopedia. It has not--in my opnion--been used much, if at all, although it does show minor signs of handling. After all, it is over 20 years old! Asking $165 dlvd.
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