Maryland

Description

One (1) 1 2/3 dollar noteMaryland, 1775Obverse Image: Patriotic scene depicts King George III setting fire to the city of Baltimore.Obverse Text: (126) / [NO. 38663] / ONE DOLLAR AND TWO THIRDS OF A DOLLAR / THIS BILL OF ONE DOLLAR AND TWO THIRDS OF A DOLLAR, SHALL ENTITLE THE BEARER HEREOF TO RECIEVE GOLD AND SILVER, AT THE RATE FOUR SHILLINGS AND SIX-PENCE STERLING PER DOLLAR, FOR THE SAID BILL ACCORD-ING TO A RESOLVE OF THE PROVINCIAL CONVENTION OF MAYLAND, HELD AT THE CITY OF ANNAPOLIS, ON THE 26TH OF JULY 1775.Reverse Image: Patriotic scene on back depicts an allegory of peace between Great Britain and America.Reverse Text: ONE DOLLAR AND 2/3 OF A DOLLAR / PAXAmerican currency was sometimes used to mold public opinion during the War for Independence. The high-minded Latin mottoes suggested by Ben Franklin had this intent. So did a series of small, printed messages on North Carolina currency issued between 1778 and 1780. But an early series of Maryland notes, including this specimen, stand out.The note is worn, and, in common with several of its fellows, it was carefully stitched together, obscuring part of the design. But if we could see everything, we would see that, on the front of the note, a figure representing Great Britain receives a petition of the Continental Congress. It is handed to her by an America, who is simultaneously trampling on a scroll marked SLAVERY and holding aloft a Liberty cap on a pole, a beacon for American...

Record Contributed By

National Museum of American History

Record Harvested From

Smithsonian Institution