| Description |
State of Massachusetts Bay - (Act of April 4, 1779) 6% Treasury Loan Certificate due January 1, 1783 15 Pounds June 1, 1779 Anderson-Smythe MA-17. PCGS Extremely Fine 40 Apparent. This "Pine Tree" bond had its right end margin trimmed away at issuance, therefore its class is indeterminate. Because most of these are dated June 1, 1779, it is impossible to say which class was issued first or if different classes, as stated by their right margin engraving, were issued concurrently as needed. Printed from a Nathaniel Hurd plate on laid paper. 22.0 cm by 15.5 cm. The layout is similar to previous Hurd "Pine Tree" bonds. At the upper left, a pine tree is encircled by a rattlesnake. With a fairly well defined tree, but minimal grass details. The left end margin indent engraving shows MASSACHUSETTS facing outward. The right margin was trimmed away. The bottom ribbon border has a counterfeit warning. Differently detailed borders are at the sides, and a single frame line is along the top. The Gothic title has lovely flourishes. Texts and obligations are across with blanks for issue, amount, date, and serial number. An embossed stamp is in the text. No. 1595. Issued and signed by Scollay, Green, and Henry Gardner. The back is blank. Noted only with a razor-thin "Small Edge Split at UR" in the wide margin. The paper quality is exceptional, and very rarely seen as such. The strength of printing across the obligations is notable. Like many of these Newman Collection Massachusetts bonds, worth a significant premium compared to most we have observed. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society, Heritage Auctions Internet Sale (5/2017).
(Description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, ha.com.) Realized $329.00. |
