| Description |
Rhode Island March 18, 1750 5 Ounces (16 Pounds Old Tenor) Contemporary Counterfeit Fr. RI-66a. PCGS Very Fine 25 Apparent. This is a rare and historical note series. The act authorized 50,000 pounds of New Tenor bills (200,000 pounds Old Tenor) and denominated the notes on the face in "Coin Silver of Sterling Alloy" amounts. This enactment for notes spurred the English Parliament to pass the Currency Act of March 12, 1750/1751 to restrict New England Bill of Credit issues. A beautifully designed "Tall" Bill of Credit note from this historic series of "Coin Silver of Sterling Alloy" denominated types. Though a contemporary counterfeit, it is important and rare. We are unaware of any genuine notes. The face plate is fairly convincing at first glance and would have been quite deceptive in the period. It is endorsed on the back "I believe this to be a Counterfeit Bill" and is signed by two committee members: B. (Benjamin) Nichols and James Sheffield. Sheffield is also a "signer" on the face and the signatures do not match. Though the Boyd collection had a few denominations from the series, it was missing this highest one. Noted with "Edge and Internal Splits, Tears, and Repairs." Both sides are quite attractive and, even as a false bill, this is very rare. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society
Realized $3290.00. Newman VII (Heritage Auctions, 10/2015), lot 18202. Description courtesy of Heritage Auctions. |
