Hi all, This is my first colonial note. Was wondering if you guys can attribute the assayer here of these notes? Who is signing this note and is there anything I can’t see that is there or should be there? Please tell me whatever you can about it. thanks Larry
Here’s a page or two of sold examples. Some are from Philadelphia and some are from Delaware. https://currency.ha.com/c/search-re...nce+&limitTo=all&ic4=KeywordSearch-A-K-071316
Just a side note, I think the Spanish Dollar:GBP rate was about 4 shillings 6 pence to the dollar. So you get lots of interesting denominations which come out evenly in both currencies like 1/3 dollar and 1/9 dollar notes. I think 9 pence comes out to 1/6 dollar. Here's my only colonial note: Maryland 1775 1/3 dollar
From Eric P. Newman, "Early Paper Money of America": April 10, 1777 in Black (also issued in Red and Black) 200000 pounds in Bills issued pursuant to the March 20, 1777 Act for army support. Denominations included 3d,4d,6d,9d,1s,1s6d,2s,3s,4s,6s,8s,12s,16s,20s,40s, and 4 pounds. Printed by John Dunlap in black on paper watermarked with PENSYL on one line an VANIA below. By the March 3, 1778 Act all prior issues were to be exchanged for this issue by June 1, 1778. By the Acts of Dec. 23, 1780, April 7, 1781 and Dec 4, 1789 this and prior issues were exchangeable 75 for 1 and were to become invalid after January 1, 1791. Only one signer was required for 9d; 2 signers were needed for 4s or more. Yours is signed by William Will.
Pewter collectors know William Will: William Will Philadelphia, PA, 1764 - 98 March 12 2017 William Will: Philadelphia’s Pewterer Pook & Pook Blogs William Will is arguably the most prolific American pewterer of the 18th century. From his Philadelphia shop, he produced pieces of exceptional quality and quantity. Will was also known for his creativity and ingenuity, working with a diverse repertoire of forms to create unique designs. His work is a staple of most great American pewter collections. But who was William Will? Apart from creating fine pewter, Will turns up multiple times in the historical record, giving us clues, however brief, into what appears to be quite an active life beyond the walls of his shop. Born in Nieuwied, Germany in 1742, William Will was the fourth son of a pewterer and one of multiple brothers pursuing the family business. His family moved to America in 1752 and settled in New York City, where his elder brother, Henry, established a successful pewter business. There are no sources to illuminate when or why Will made the transition to Philadelphia, though it is likely that he made the trip with his brother, Philip, whose pewter advertisements date to 1763. William was married a year later and this recorded date is unofficially recognized as the starting date for his career. In addition to crafting pewter, Will served as the community overseer of the poor, a sheriff of the county and city of Philadelphia, and a representative to the General Assembly. During the Revolutionary War, he was responsible for property confiscated from loyalists and those that stood in the way of the American cause. Will formed his own militia company and held multiple positions of authority in the Continental Army. Will also invested in real estate, including eight properties in Philadelphia, but declared bankruptcy in 1789. Much of his holdings were sold to pay off outstanding debts. Despite his apparent need for money, William Will’s skill as a pewterer was probably not up for debate. In a time where the lifespan of a piece of tableware was no more than ten years, Will’s pieces have survived, cherished and preserved in collections. Despite difficulties later in life, Will remained a respected figure in society. A local newspaper ran his funeral notice on February 14th, 1798, describing the attendees as a “very large number of respectable citizens” despite Will’s “lingering indisposition,” which he bore with “Christian fortitude”.
