![Colony of Rhode Island. March 18, 1776. Five Shillings. No.2996. Signed by Greene, Cole and Wm. [William]...](http://www.stacksarchive.com/gallery/SL1006a/86/SL1006a8677t2.jpg "Colony of Rhode Island. March 18, 1776. Five Shillings. No.2996. Signed by Greene, Cole and Wm. [William]...") Colony of Rhode Island. March 18, 1776. Five Shillings. No.2996. Signed by Greene, Cole and Wm. [William] Ellery, Signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation. Printed on thin paper. 73mm by 103mm. Printed on both sides, standard Rhode Island style. Within three border cuts are typeset texts, Rhode Island seal at left, signatures at bottom. Ornamental pattern back from edge to edge, 'Five/Shillings' at center. Imprint 'Printed by/JOHN CARTER'. A very scarce series and note. Only 3,000 were authorized and most known are low grades.
A circulated note, though attractive and well above average. Significant as it is signed by William Ellery, a Signer of the Declaration. These are rare and in surveying several catalogues, we did not find any offerings except for the 1977 NASCA Maryland Historical Society Collection Sale. That note was purchased by Mr. Ford and is offered in this sale. Even the 923 lot Affleck-Ball Collection Sale did not have one nor the 1993 James DuPont Collection Sale. Compared to available (and all included in this sale) John Hart, John Morton, and Francis Hopkinson signer notes, these are likely quite undervalued.
Overall, Fine Plus. Heavy crease with right side split, long corner crease, and handling. The face is still quite bright with the back showing wear and soiling. Wide margined left (unevenly trimmed at the left bottom) and trimmed in at the upper right. The Ellery signature is red and on the light side. However, quite a rare note that will fit nicely into a set of notes with the other three mentioned Declaration signers contained in this sale.
Ex F.C.C. Boyd Estate.
William Ellery (1727-1820) was a lifetime resident of Newport, Rhode Island. He was a lawyer and politician, serving in Congress as an expert on committees in commercial shipping and naval affairs. He was a Signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation. He was the grandfather of naval officer Frank Ellery.
| |
|
![Click to open a larger image - Colony of Rhode Island. March 18, 1776. Five Shillings. No.2996. Signed by Greene, Cole and Wm. [William]...](http://www.stacksarchive.com/gallery/SL1006a/86/SL1006a8677a.jpg "Click to open a larger image - Colony of Rhode Island. March 18, 1776. Five Shillings. No.2996. Signed by Greene, Cole and Wm. [William]...")
![Click to open a larger image - Colony of Rhode Island. March 18, 1776. Five Shillings. No.2996. Signed by Greene, Cole and Wm. [William]...](http://www.stacksarchive.com/gallery/SL1006a/86/SL1006a8677b.jpg "Click to open a larger image - Colony of Rhode Island. March 18, 1776. Five Shillings. No.2996. Signed by Greene, Cole and Wm. [William]...")
