 State of Rhode Island &c. June Session 1780. Nine Shillings. 5% Interest Bearing Payable in Specie. No.213. Signed by [Thomas] Rumreill and B.[enoni] Pearce. Printed on thin paper. 75mm by 117mm. Printed on both sides, standard Rhode Island style adopted since September 5, 1776 issue. Within three border cuts are typeset texts, Rhode Island seal at left, signatures at bottom. Ornamental pattern back centered on the back, 'DEATH to counterfeit' at center and below line of ornaments the imprint 'Printed by B. WHEELER.' This note was not authorized, but was issued as seen here. It is an ''odd ball'' denomination, but it is equivelent to three Three Shilling notes.
This is the rarest late series on Rhode Island and the first notes on the issue we have catalogued for a sale. Any note on this series is excessively rare and a major acquisition. Amazingly, in the Ford-Boyd collection, there are two different denominations from this Act. We have stated repeatedly that the greatest Colonial paper currency rarities are undervalued, many of them to a nearly ridiculous degree compared to prices of popular and comparatively ''commercial'' issues such as John Hart notes and Paul Revere ''Sword'' or ''Codfish'' notes. This note, like many in the Ford-Boyd Collection, is basically irreplaceable at any price. Adding to the amazing nature of this note and the one to follow is the strong condition.
A note that is still crisp and very fresh. Very Fine to Extremely Fine. A heavy central crease with a right side split. However, there is only some other light handling and subtle toning. Darker foxing spot at the top center of the text block. Well embossed and deeply printed. Well margined on all four sides. Boyd pencil code, ''iyxy'', or ''$20'' on the back. Also penciled is ''very rare'' and ''97'' If this was bought in 1897 for $20.00, that tells you the magnitude of rarity of this prize and how well it was revered over a century ago. For the most serious specialist, worth every ounce of gold it takes to obtain it. A Colonial paper currency note of the first order.
Ex F.C.C. Boyd Estate.
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