| Description |
Colony of Connecticut July 10, 1733 Redated 1735 3 Shillings Fr. CT-43b. PCGS Very Fine 30 Apparent. A magnificent Colonial American currency note; exceedingly rare, and possibly unique. Eric P. Newman's studies into the most challenging areas of American numismatics are legendary. Despite there being relatively few examples to examine or obtain (especially compared to even the rarest series of Colonial coins), his discussions about the "Tall" Bills of Credit from New England in The Early Paper Money of America are illuminating and concise. Due to their great rarity, these early Colonial bills have generally been the domain of advanced students, such as F.C.C. Boyd, T. James Clarke, John L. Roper, and Eric P. Newman. The final disposition of the Boyd Bills of Credit in May 2004 (Ford Part III) was a significant event and included many unique "Tall" bills. Many of the rarest are from Connecticut. The first Newman Part VI currency sale (April 2015) included three different early Connecticut bills, and the most recent Newman Part VIII sale had a further two. All of them are great rarities. This re-dated 1735 "Tall" Bill of Credit was printed on laid paper by Timothy Green. Bold scrollwork is in the upper corners, the Arms are at lower left, and the obligations appear in a central cartouche. Beneath the text is a bushy-tailed squirrel eating a nut, the vignette assigned to the denomination. At the right edge is the new date of 1735. Signers were Hezekiah Wyllys, Nathaniel Stanly, and Joseph Talcott. The back has a feature that was first introduced in this issue: The value of a "Quarter of Three Shillings" was printed in each of the quadrants on the back. This allowed for the circulation of quarters of the notes, which were often split naturally due to folding. No. 536. The Newman plate note, illustrated on page 97. Although noted with "Splits" and "Stains" by PCGS, this is a sharply printed, and exceedingly rare note from an issue that even Boyd did not possess. There is a reported second example of this great rarity; however, our pedigree and census research could not confirm that, and this example may be unique. A highlight in this sale, artistically attractive, and historically important. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.
From Newman X (Heritage Auctions, November 2018), lot 20017, realized $11400. |
