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 Replies: 45 / Views: 5,037 |
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New Member
Japan
39 Posts |
This is an amazing collection of early American history!!
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3229 Posts |
Cipster, I recently finished H. W. Brands, The First American, The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin. Ben led an amazing life and contributed to world in so many ways! I also have Ben's autobiography. Much of his story in his own words! Isaacson's version is on my hit list.
Philadelphian, yes it is a long shot that Ben held any of these but... its possible. A lot of long shots happened during this time in history:) BTW, feel free to share your avatar / Continental Currency note in a larger format. I know nothing about paper but am always glad to learn. Is it called a Fugio note?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3253 Posts |
Well, if you're going to twist my arm... Franklin designed the original $1, $2, $3, $4, $5, $6, $7, $8, $20, and $30 Continental Currency notes, which were first issued in 1775. In February 1776, his Fugio design was used for fractional notes of $1/6, $1/3, $1/2, and $2/3.   For the longest time, the Fugio design was just attributed to Franklin, but there was no real proof, and some thought the story might just be apocryphal. Then Eric P. Newman found (and, being Eric P. Newman, was able to buy) the following sketch from Franklin's papers, in his own hand. I like to think of Ben shutting himself in his study overnight with a trisquare, a protractor, and a bottle of Madeira, shouting, "Hold my calls!"  Edited by philadelphian
11/18/2013 9:46 pm
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Moderator
 United States
16679 Posts |
That is too cool!
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3229 Posts |
Wow that is really fantastic! Very cool indeed. I want one!  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2362 Posts |
philadelphian thanks for sharing the large version of your avatar and the Franklin fugio sketch.  At first I was puzzled by 'mind your business' but later realized that as a successful businessman Franklin was perhaps offering advice to pay attention to your business. I knew this thread would cost me money - perhaps to buy another fugio coin but philadelphian's fugio note has me going in a different direction. I don't have any paper and don't know anything about its value. My initial thought was that I'd probably need to sell my house or a least sell a car to get one. I just looked at Heritage past auctions $200 - $400 in F15 ?  Member ANA and EAC "You got to lose to know how to win". Dream On by Aerosmith Edited by cipster
11/19/2013 1:00 pm
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:
At first I was puzzled by 'mind your business' but later realized that as a successful businessman Franklin was perhaps offering advice to pay attention to your business.
Consider the rebus formed by the sundial image and the legend - as it's put on Wikipedia, "Time flies. Do your work." |
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Moderator
United States
16679 Posts |
He was a profound diplomat but remember, he was also an ingenious inventor and businessman.
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3253 Posts |
Franklin certainly did "mind his business." The print shop that produced this note, Hall and Sellers, was formerly Franklin and Hall, and Franklin made a good deal of money by making money. At the age of 23, Franklin published the political tract A Modest Enquiry Into the Nature and Necessity of a Paper-Currency, which made an argument so intelligent and witty against a coin specie economy that the Pennsylvania Assembly approved a measure to issue paper money. And guess whose print shop got the contract to print it? Franklin is certainly the reason why there's no Pennsylvania colonial coins for me to collect! http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/users...webdoc6.html |
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Valued Member
United States
401 Posts |
Not as pretty as some of the others posted but owning one is better than owning none!   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3253 Posts |
Nice clash on the reverse on that one, Paddy! Is it 12-U? 12-M?
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Moderator
United States
16679 Posts |
Looks to be dug but a nicely detailed coin!
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Valued Member
United States
118 Posts |
Another one of my dug ones. Not in great shape and the hole doesn't help any but it's still a club rays Fugio  |
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Valued Member
United States
401 Posts |
Philly,
Back in March you and Vermontensium ID's the Fugio as a 12-U. Apparently the chain side is upside down in the picture...DOH!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3253 Posts |
Sorry, Paddy! Time flies when you're having fun (no pun intended).
Haven't seen a 3-D on the Forum before; nice find, SCDave! What part of the country was it dug in?
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Replies: 45 / Views: 5,037 |
First Page
Posted 11/18/2013 9:01 pm
