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Estimate Range: $10,000 - $12,000
Current Bidding Status
This Lot is CLOSED for Absentee Bidding.
Paul Revere Engraved One Shilling “PINE TREE” Vignette, First Denomination, First Issue August 18, 1775 “Sword in Hand” Note, Mass. Revolutionary War Minuteman Design

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Colony of Massachusetts Bay, August 18, 1775, One Shilling, with unique “PINE TREE” vignette, Paul Revere Engraved Copper-Plate First Denomination of the First “Sword in Hand” Issue with reverse legend, “Issued in defence of American Liberty.” and Minuteman Design, also with the First “Due Date” of August 18, 1778, Very Fine.

Fr. MA-158. This exceedingly rare Lowest 1 Shilling First Denomination note with the unique obverse “PINE TREE” vignette design, is on the very First of the First “Sword in Hand” Revolutionary War currency notes issued, that were Copper-Plate Engraved by American Patriot Paul Revere, the historic Boston silversmith, Founding Member of the “Sons of Liberty” and military officer. Paul Revere’s design features a large central reverse side vignette of a Massachusetts Minuteman holding his Sword and a copy of the “MAGNA CHARTA” with a further legend reading: “Issued in defence of American Liberty” above the Minuteman’s head. This note is signed in blue ink by “J.(ospeh) Wheeler” and in faded red by “T.(homas) Plympton” both being the “Committee”. A small obverse oval “PINE TREE” Vignette at lower left is UNIQUE only to this 1 Shilling, first and lowest denomination on this issue. Eric Newman lists a value of Triple the other regular denominations on this issue and unpriced, showing only a “dash” due to its rarity in Very Fine condition.

Paul Revere’s famous 1770 Copper-Plate Engraved Print of the “Boston Massacre” was then reused, being Engraved on its blank reverse side for the Engraving and Printing of this emergency Revolutionary War Wartime, First “Sword in Hand” issue! This One Shilling, unique “PINE TREE” vignette note was printed on the reverse side of that historic “THE BLOODY MASSACRE” Revere engraved Copper-Plate !

This current note is whole, solid and complete, having been heavily folded or split and/or expertly partially sealed at its horizontal centerfold. It is well centered with full standard margins, fully printed on both its face and back, complete, printed on heavy rag paper. There is light to medium scattered tone, some being on the Pine Tree vignette, as shown. Historically significant and highly important An important, if not critical, addition for any Paul Revere engraving collector, or Revolutionary War specialized currency collection.
Of additional historical note, following the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, the Provincial Congress of MA authorized an emission of 25,998 in “Soldiers’ Notes” in order to raise it’s army. These American patriotic “Sword in Hand” Minuteman theme notes were paid to the men who had recently found themselves facing British “Redcoat” regulars at the Battle of Bunker Hill.
Keywords: Engravings of Paul Revere, Revolutionary War, Massachusetts Minutemen, Colonial Paper Money, Colonial Currency, Paul Revere Engraved, Magna Charta, Revolutionary War Boston
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Estimate Range: $10,000 - $12,000
Early American History Auctions, Inc.
1520 Commerce St., # 312 • Winchester, VA 22601
Phone: 858 • 759 • 3290
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