This iconic note from the Massachusetts December 7, 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. This issue used printing plates from the August 18, 1775 issue which were altered by Revere to reflect the new date and denominations. “No.” was eliminated from the serial number box on this issue. This 8 Pence bill was the lowest denomination of the issue. Solid VF example with nice legibility throughout. Very low survivability, of the 6,250 originally printed, only 10 are known to survive today, mostly in low grade with problems. Exceptional note with an iconic design, and printed by an American legend. A highlight piece for any colonial collection. This PMG 20 example sits at the top of the population report, finest known.
This iconic note from the Massachusetts December 7, 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. This issue used printing plates from the August 18, 1775 issue which were altered by Revere to reflect the new date and denominations. “No.” was eliminated from the serial number box on this issue. This 8 Pence bill was the lowest denomination of the issue. Solid VF example with nice legibility throughout. Very low survivability, of the 6,250 originally printed, only 10 are known to survive today, mostly in low grade with problems. Exceptional note with an iconic design, and printed by an American legend. A highlight piece for any colonial collection. This PMG 20 example sits at the top of the population report, finest known.
