Continental Currency: 05/09/1776

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An emission totaling $5,000,000 payable in Spanish milled dollars, or the equivalent in gold or silver, was authorized by the Continental Congress resolutions of May 9th and 27th, 1776. The issue is similar to that of the November 29, 1775 issue, except for the bottom border of the front of the $4 reads from left to right toward the bottom of the note, whereas in all other issues it looks upside down and reads toward the center of the bill. Printed by Hall and Sellers in Philadelphia. The paper, made at Ivy Mills in Chester County, Pennsylvania, contained blue fibers and mica flakes. Detector bills were printed on blue paper. Denominations include the $1, $2, $3, $4, $5, $6, $7, and $8.

Two Dollars

Image Courtesy of Louis Jordan

Numbering and first signature in red ink; second signature in black ink. The emblem on the front shows grain being threshed with a flail with the motto: "Tribulatio ditat" (It is enriched by affliction). The nature print on the back is of raspberry and two filbert leaves and is identical to the nature print used on earlier Pennsylvania currency. The paper contains blue threads and mica flakes.

Provenance: EANA mail bid auction 1/13/96 lot 285. Purchased through the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Endowment.

Three Dollars

Image Courtesy of Louis Jordan

The numbering and first signature are in red ink; the second signature is in red brown. The first signature is somewhat difficult to decipher. There is an upper case G followed by a C with large loops at the top and bottom of the C, there is also a loop as a flourish after the final L. The emblem on the front (39mm) shows an eagle fighting a heron with the motto "Exitus in dubio est" (The outcome is in doubt). On the back is a nature print of skeletonized elm and maple fruit as previously found on Pennsylvania currency. The paper contains blue thread and mica flakes.

Provenance: Purchased through the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Endowment from the collection of William Warne of Harvey Cedars, NJ on 5/1/98.

Six Dollars

Image Courtesy of Louis Jordan

Numbered in dark red, the first signature in light red ink, and the second signature in brown ink. The emblem on the front depicts a beaver gnawing down a tree with the motto: "Perseverando" (By perseverance). The nature print on the back displays a buttercup. No image of the back is available. The paper contains blue threads and mica flakes.

Provenance: EANA mail bid auction 8/25/2001 lot 826. Purchased through the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Endowment.

Seven Dollars

Image Courtesy of Louis Jordan

The numbering and first signature are in red ink, while the second signature is in brown ink. The emblem on the front shows a storm at sea with the motto: "Serenabit" (It will clear up). The nature print on the back is of a buttercup leaf. The paper contains blue threads and mica flakes.

Provenance: EANA mail bid auction 11/16/96 lot 476. Purchased through the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Endowment.

Eight Dollars

Image Courtesy of Louis Jordan

The numbering and second signature are in red ink; the first signature is in brown ink. The emblem on the front shows a harp with thirteen strings, with the motto: "Majora minoribus consonant" (The larger are in harmony with the smaller). The nature print on the back is of henebit leaf and two buttercup leaves. It is identical to a nature print used on earlier Pennsylvania currency. The paper contains blue threads and mica flakes.

Provenance: EANA mail bid auction 11/16/96 lot 477. Purchased through the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Endowment.