The April 11, 1778 Yorktown issue is extremely scarce and considered the holy grail of Continental issues. It was passed by the Continental Congress who met at York, Pennsylvania rather than Philadelphia from September 30, 1777 to June 27, 1778. During that time, Hall and Sellers moved their operation to York from Philadelphia as well to accommodate the demand for paper money in the heat of the war. The entire Yorktown issue was recalled in June of 1779 due to immense British counterfeiting, this example being proof. This $5 note features an emblem of a hand gathering food and dripping blood due to pricks from the thorns. The emblem is encircled by the latin motto “SUSTINE VEL ABSTINE” (Either survive or give up). The reverse features nature print of 2 willow leaves. Lovely note with superior detail and paper for the grade. Crudely engraved counterfeit. An elite addition for any Continental collection. This AU50 example sits at the top of the PMG population report, finest known.
Signers: D. Reintzel, Joseph Snowden (Forgeries)
The April 11, 1778 Yorktown issue is extremely scarce and considered the holy grail of Continental issues. It was passed by the Continental Congress who met at York, Pennsylvania rather than Philadelphia from September 30, 1777 to June 27, 1778. During that time, Hall and Sellers moved their operation to York from Philadelphia as well to accommodate the demand for paper money in the heat of the war. The entire Yorktown issue was recalled in June of 1779 due to immense British counterfeiting, this example being proof. This $5 note features an emblem of a hand gathering food and dripping blood due to pricks from the thorns. The emblem is encircled by the latin motto “SUSTINE VEL ABSTINE” (Either survive or give up). The reverse features nature print of 2 willow leaves. Lovely note with superior detail and paper for the grade. Crudely engraved counterfeit. An elite addition for any Continental collection. This AU50 example sits at the top of the PMG population report, finest known.
Signers: D. Reintzel, Joseph Snowden (Forgeries)
