Virginia July 17, 1775 3 Pounds Small Ordinance Fr. VA-79a. PCGS Choice About New 58. The highest denomination from the small ordinance notes dated July 17, 1775. This was equivalent to 12 crowns or 60 shillings as also printed on the note. Colony arms are at the upper left with border cuts all around. Signed by Phillip Johnson and William Norvell. Notes from the issue are rarely seen Uncirculated, and this is close. There is faint handling, and a hard-to-see foxing point in the left border cut prevents the "PPQ" designation. The two-high grade Boyd notes realized well over $1,000 each over ten years ago. This is nearly as made and very handsome. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society

From Newman VIII (Heritage Auctions, 11/2017), lot 28162, realized $1680. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.

South Carolina February 8, 1779 $70 Fr. SC-156. PCGS About New 53. The Coram "Prometheus Bound" type has very powerful imagery on the back. This note is illustrated on the color plates of the fifth edition of the Newman reference on page 56. The face features Hope leaning on the stock of an upright anchor with the motto SPES MENTIS SOLATIO (Hope is the consolation of the mind). The back is signed "Coram Sc.," but not dated. The plate details are perhaps the finest in the entire Colonial currency series. Prometheus, punished for stealing fire from the gods and giving it to mankind, is bound to rocks and attacked by a vulture who daily eats his ever-regenerating liver. Perhaps the Prometheus imagery symbolizes the British attack on the American fight for independence. Printed on cream paper. A striking example that is deeply inked on both sides, resulting in a beautiful impression. Framed beautifully on the face with wide, even margins. The back has near perfect centering. Lightly handled. With its superb details and interesting imagery, this is always one of the most coveted Coram types. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society

From Newman VIII (Heritage Auctions, 11/2017), lot 28151, realized $4080. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.

Pennsylvania August 1, 1744 1 Shilling Fr. PA-46. PCGS Extremely Fine 45PPQ. Another Newman Collection rarity in exceptional grade and by far the finest known of the three notes we have observed from the entire issue. This is likely unique. It is the Newman plate note illustrated on page 335 of the fifth edition of The Early Paper Money of America and also featured on the color plates on page 53. Benjamin Franklin printed this uniface, laid paper type with border cuts and very detailed (particularly the rampant lion at top center) Penn family coat of arms at the lower left. Plate C. Signed boldly by Robert Lloyd and Abraham Chapman. The lowest denomination of five authorized, and the survival of such an inspiring note is a marvel. It appears to be Gem at first glance and only a light horizontal fold is seen from the blank back. The Boyd collection had two notes from the issue, but they were very low grade and had numerous faults. This note is stunning and, like many notes offered in this sale, irreplaceable. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society

From Newman VIII (Heritage Auctions, 11/2017), lot 28111, realized $18000. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.

State of Maryland October 17, 1780 Small Denomination Act $1/5 Fr. MD-126. PCGS Very Fine 35 Apparent. This is from a rare and distinctive series of small denomination fractional notes printed by Frederick Green, similar in style to the "Black Money" notes, but in a smaller format. The four denominations authorized are generally low grade when encountered. Boyd had two damaged notes and two that should be classified as Fine or in that range. This is the highest denomination of the four and is a choice, full note. It is believed to be High Rarity 7 (4-6 known). Noted only with "Small Edge Tears at Right; Minor Mounting Remnants on Back." This is a lovely example that faces up bright and bold. There are few known that are superior. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society

From Newman VIII (Heritage Auctions, 11/2017), lot 28043, realized $2280. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.

Georgia September 10, 1777 $3 Fr. GA-116. PCGS Very Fine 30 Apparent. A very colorful denomination with the red Frontiersman seal at the lower right and red "in" within the denomination text. Five signatures. A very bold red seal shows the buckskin-clad frontiersman at the ready. Noted with "Minor Mounting Remnants on Back." Well margined, and the note appears higher grade from the face. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society

From Newman VIII (Heritage Auctions, 11/2017), lot 28029, realized $1140. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.

Georgia 1777 No Resolution Date $3 Fr. GA-85. PCGS Extremely Fine 45PPQ. Ten denominations were issued for this series. This small format note, without vignette, had eight major border varieties that correspond to the one used on the $1 1776 Blue-Green seal notes. Border variety (a). The five signatures fit nicely into the blank space, and the note is very well margined. Bold black and red typeset printing. Very pleasing for the type. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society

From Newman VIII (Heritage Auctions, 11/2017), lot 28023, realized $780. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.

Georgia 1776 Sterling Denominations 1 Pound Fr. GA-68. PCGS Extremely Fine 45 Apparent. Rare in all grades, this highest denomination from the 1776 Sterling series is very seldom encountered in this condition. Similar to the 10 shilling notes. A typeset layout using black and red texts. "GEORGIA" is in red at the left and the denomination "One Pound" in the other three sides. Five well accomplished signatures. This serial number 239 is illustrated on the color plates of the fifth edition of The Early American Paper Money of America on page 44. The margins are close, but the overall paper quality is outstanding for the type. Noted only with "Small Edge Tears." The color is strong and the note is very appealing. Quite underrated in this superb state and superior to both examples in the Boyd collection. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society

From Newman VIII (Heritage Auctions, 11/2017), lot 28011, realized $1080. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.

Georgia 1776 Sterling Denominations 5 Shillings Blue Seal Hope with SPERANDUM Fr. GA-66a. PCGS Extremely Fine 45 Apparent. The 1776 Blue Seal Hope with SPERANDUM is a foundational type from the Georgia Colonial currency series. The type is a great rarity, seldom encountered in any condition, and very underrated. It is thought to be Rarity 7 (4-12 known). Its design is a reflection of the Revolutionary War spirit at the onset of hostilities. Most Georgia 1776 Sterling 5 shilling notes issued featured the black printed Crown motif. These were deemed unpatriotic and evolved into this very limited blue color seal type. Following the Sterling issue, there were several issues of color seal notes. However, this is a significant first color seal type and the only use of this Hope motif and motto on Georgia. It is a rare note in all grades, and the few encountered are usually very low grade or damaged in some manner. This example defies that norm and is certainly among the finest known. It has superb paper originality and brightness, and the blue seal color is rich and even. The perfectly defined vignette shows Hope standing with the motto SPERANDUM (One must hope) arcing above. Although the Boyd note was broader, the seal lacked the perfection seen here and there was an edge chipped off. That note realized $5,750 in the May 2005 Ford Part X sale in Atlanta. This is the first auction offering of the present example, the finest we have seen. Noted only with some "Small Edge Tears." Essential for a definitive collection of Georgia seal notes. This is pleasing to the eye and is the key type from the 1776 Sterling issue. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society

From Newman VIII (Heritage Auctions, 11/2017), lot 28010, realized $6600. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.

City of Jefferson, MO - State of Missouri Act of January 1, 1864 $1000 6% Coupon Bond May 18, 1865. Very Good, Backed. This is a Union-authority issued bond redeemable up to 20 years later and paying 6%. An eagle is at top center, and obligations are at center flanked by portraits. Signed by the governor and secretary of state. Coupons are underneath. A rare bond, but impaired. Very aged and appearing to be fragile; backed, and glued to the face of a sheet. Some coupons are loose. Very Good only, but it represents a bond not known to us. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society

From Newman VIII (Heritage Auctions, 11/2017), lot 29624, realized $61. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.

City of Jefferson, MO - State of Missouri Act of January 1, 1864 $1000 6% Coupon Bond May 18, 1865. Very Good, Backed. This is a Union-authority issued bond redeemable up to 20 years later and paying 6%. An eagle is at top center, and obligations are at center flanked by portraits. Signed by the governor and secretary of state. Coupons are underneath. A rare bond, but impaired. Very aged and appearing to be fragile; backed, and glued to the face of a sheet. Some coupons are loose. Very Good only, but it represents a bond not known to us. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society

From Newman VIII (Heritage Auctions, 11/2017), lot 29624, realized $61. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.