| Description |
St. Louis, (M.T.) - St. Louis & Illinois Team Boat Ferry 12-1/2 Cents Undated (Ca. 1819-21). Remainder. PCGS Very Fine 30. An unusual scrip that stands on its own merits and is another very rare Missouri territorial period scrip series with a fascinating title. A team boat ferry used a pulley system for moving the boats across the river, the power supplied by a horse walking on a treadmill (that is, one horsepower). This company, owned by Samuel Wiggins, was authorized by the Illinois legislature to run a ferry from Illinoistown (East St. Louis) to St. Louis by an act of March 2, 1819. Wiggins purchased the company about that time from James Piggot, whose original ferry route was powered by oarsman. A 12-1/2 cent note paid the fare for a passenger. In this case, the note was good for "ferriage." Others were good for "neat cattle" or an "ox" (Bankers Magazine, August 1861, p.156). Notes from the series are not known signed. Printed by P. Maverick, Durand & Co., apparently with the same denominations as the St. Louis Land Office/Post Office notes from the same imprint. A common layout was used for all denominations: titles are at the top, a large "12 1/2" is in the center, and TWELVE & 1/2 CENTS arcs across and above. The obligation underneath states: "in payment of ferriage or redeemed / at the St. Louis Exchange & Land office / in Notes current at Bank of Missouri." Lathe work ends show ILLINOIS at left and MISSOURI at right. A crisp note with complete margins. The finest-grade example from the series in the Newman Collection. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.
From Newman X (Heritage Auctions, November 2018), lot 20141, realized $1200. |
