 Colony of New Hampshire. January 26, 1776. Two Dollars. No.1157. Portsmouth Issue Printed by Daniel Fowle. Payable on January 26, 1783. Signed by Smith and White. Printed on thick, coarse stock. 73mm by 86mm. Standard face and back designs.
On the face, the obligation texts within ornate pattern borders and interior frames. The face using various repeating ornaments and mixed flourishes as dividers. Serial number cartouche at the top center. Signature area at the lower right. Latin motto across the top and with interwoven English motto on the bottom (on the Three Dollar and higher notes). Several denomination counters in various locations to prevent denomination raising. The back with four by four ornamental block pattern with denomination above and imprint below, 'PORTSMOUTH,/Printed By Daniel Fowle,/1776.' Six lines of ornaments across note in various positions.
This is a rare series on New Hampshire for any example. The famous Wayne Rich Collection of New Hampshire Colonial notes sold by Bowers and Merena several years ago contained only one note from this series among his many rarities. The Ford Boyd Collection contained ten notes of this rare act. It featured four different denominations from the six authorized (an astounding six notes with four different were sold in the Ford X Sale) and some due date varieties. Collectors of New Hampshire will be awed by this holding for decades and the notes were perhaps obtained together from one collection. Ford X in 2005 contained two $2 notes with different due dates.
A lovely type note from the face. Fine to Very Fine or so. Creased, short edge splits and some rough handling seen from the back mostly. The rigid note protected the face surface. Toned lightly overall to a natural and subtle hue. The back shows two bald patches, one at the top and one on the imprint. Upper right corner pencil code and numeral [by Chapman (?), a lot number from a sale (?)]. The minor flaws on the back should make this an affordable alternative for the specialist. After the Ford-Boyd notes are sold, this series will be seen at auction at infrequent intervels. We stress the importance of this opportunity highly.
Ex F.C.C. Boyd Estate.
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