 State of New Jersey. December 20, 1783 Act. Three Shillings and Nine Pence or Half a Dollar. No.353. Signed by Ewing and Mott. Printed on coarse stock. Size similar to 1781 issue. Standard designs, State seal on face. Leaf design on back and date '1784'. Trenton printed by Isaac Collins. A very rare series, withdrawn with few surviving notes of any type. This was the only denomination on the Act represented in the DuPont Sale (Ex 1977 NASCA Maryland Historical Society Sale, lot 239). This note is superior to the DuPont which was split and pinned backed together.
Very Good to Fine. Moderate vertical folds and heavy quarter crease splits on this thick paper and nearly into four pieces, hanging together by three short areas around the splitting. However, each quarter is fairly crisp and clean surfaced on the face. The back has moderate soiling. The note is quite bright for the type and presents a higher grade appearance. Professional restoration (encouraged by Mr. Ford to protect the integrity of such notes, particularly when the presence of deteriorating glues or acidic paper had been used in the past) on this note will enhance the eye appeal considerably.
Ex F.C.C. Boyd Estate.
This note is a ''poster child'' for the difficulties encountered in grading Colonial currency using the criteria advanced in standard texts and now the third party grading services. In that grading universe where the ''fold count'' seems to be king, this note would be called ''Poor''. That is hardly accurate for what it is or how it should be evaluated for potential purchase. In the end, like all numismatic items where rarity, supply, demand and opportunity reflect value: the auction price realized trumps all.
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