This iconic note from the Massachusetts August 18, 1775 issue is known as a “Sword in Hand”. These bills were printed and engraved by Paul Revere. The front has ornate borders with a small oval vignette of a ship in front of a wharf house. The reverse features the famous vignette of a Minute Man holding a sword and the “Magna Charta”. This vignette is encircled by the motto “Issued in Defense of American Liberty” and “ENSE PETIT PLACIDAM SUB LIBERTATE, QUIETEM” (By arms he seeks peace with freedom). Incredible mottos as tensions of the Revolution brewed. There was an error when engraving the due date within the text of the obverse, erroneously dated 1777. Earlier printings were corrected in pen, and this example appears to be one of those penned corrections. What appears to be a hand drawn “9” can be seen at the left middle of the text on front. Decent legibility remains on this VG example without pieces missing. Very low survivability, of the 10,000 originally printed, only 16 are known to survive today, mostly in low grade with problems. Exceptional note with rarity with an iconic design, and printed by an American legend. A highlight piece for any colonial collection.
This iconic note from the Massachusetts August 18, 1775 issue is known as a “Sword in Hand”. These bills were printed and engraved by Paul Revere. The front has ornate borders with a small oval vignette of a ship in front of a wharf house. The reverse features the famous vignette of a Minute Man holding a sword and the “Magna Charta”. This vignette is encircled by the motto “Issued in Defense of American Liberty” and “ENSE PETIT PLACIDAM SUB LIBERTATE, QUIETEM” (By arms he seeks peace with freedom). Incredible mottos as tensions of the Revolution brewed. There was an error when engraving the due date within the text of the obverse, erroneously dated 1777. Earlier printings were corrected in pen, and this example appears to be one of those penned corrections. What appears to be a hand drawn “9” can be seen at the left middle of the text on front. Decent legibility remains on this VG example without pieces missing. Very low survivability, of the 10,000 originally printed, only 16 are known to survive today, mostly in low grade with problems. Exceptional note with rarity with an iconic design, and printed by an American legend. A highlight piece for any colonial collection.
Date: August 18, 1775
Denomination: 2 Shillings
Friedberg #: MA-159
State: Massachusetts
Certification: PMG
Grade: Very Good 8
Comments: “Split Repairs”
