 State of Maryland. May 10, 1781. Three Pounds or Eight Dollars. Unnumbered. Signed by Callahan and Harwood. Printed by F.[rederick] Green in red and black on thick laid paper. The face with ornate pattern frame, different style than the One Shilling, enclosing the black printed obligation text. At the top cartouche, 'EIGHT DOLLARS' and at the bottom, 'Maryland [Gothic font]' in red. The back with red printed Maryland Arms enclosed within the black printed frame with denominations, imprint and counterfeit warning. The issue to be backed from confiscated Tory property. A rare series in any grade, this note is the highest denomination on the issue and as such is always desired. Over 30,000 were printed and issued, but how many survive is unknown.
This note is also a superb example from the Red Money issue. Not as incredible as the above One Shilling, but still Choice Extremely Fine. Bold color on both sides and excellent margins for the issue. Trimmed in slightly on the bottom. Some toning at the back right edge. The minor flaws of this note are more than compensated by its overall beauty. Newman's Very Fine catalogue value is $800.00. Multiples of that should be factored in when computing a potentially successful bid. Another real prize on Maryland.
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