It’s here. After two-and-a-half centuries, our Semiquincentennial is upon us. July 4 marks the 250-year milestone celebrating the world’s longest surviving and thriving democracy.
Note, I didn’t say, “It’s finally here.” That’s because, speaking as a participant in and survivor of our 1976 Bi-centennial, so far, this has been anti-climactic. The build-up, if any, has been scant. This year just doesn’t have the same panache or excitement as 50 years ago. In fact, the pending nuptials of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce appear to be getting as much or more press coverage....
The same with the looming elections. I’m going to date myself here, but where are the memorable slogans such as, “I Like Ike” or “Win With Wilke.” (FYI, I wasn’t alive for either of those.) There is also an absence of the once-ubiquitous lapel pins and yard signs. Perhaps wisely, today, most folks don’t wear their politics on their sleeves.
That certainly wasn’t the case 250-years ago in 1776. Colonists were even more outwardly divided than we are today. There were Patriots (Revolutionaries) and Loyalists (Tories). There may have been no bumper stickers but the gutsiest patriots were colonial leaders who signed their actual names on paper Continental Currency notes. Fully opposed by the British, such an action could result in a literal death sentence for the patriot signer.
It’s not often we can actually touch significant history. It can also be expensive. A few weeks ago, I wrote about a gold pocket-watch retrieved from the Titanic disaster. The inscription on it showed it had belonged to industrialist John Jacob Astor, the richest passenger on board. Most items from the ship are not legal to sell. This one was. The watch brought over $1.5 million.
On the opposite end of the intrinsic spectrum from gold would be paper. History buffs and collectors are fortunate the paper used hundreds of years ago to print those Continental paper currency bills was rich in cotton fiber. Consequently, the paper wasn’t acidic and didn’t deteriorate like modern paper. Even though those Continental notes once became all but worthless as legal tender, many were kept stashed away in trunks or attics.
The ones that survive now are fantastic pieces of tangible history. As collectors know, they are still available from many coin dealers or at auction. Many sell in the $200 to $300 range. Of course, not all are the same. Far from it. And, it has nothing to do with the monetary denomination the note may carry.
One difference is condition. The more valuable colonial paper notes tend to be those that are classified as “crisp uncirculated.” They pretty much never saw circulation. The printing is bright and the signatures vivid and clear.
Well used notes that are folded, creased or torn sell for markedly less. Naturally, some history buffs may prefer those worn bills not just because they are more affordable but because it’s clear how many colonial hands the bills passed through centuries ago.
Another aspect of special interest to historians is just who the signers on the notes were. Most names are surely not familiar to us today. However, signers the likes of John Hart, Francis Hopkinson or George Clymer pique the interest of history buffs and collectors.
Those men are the only three individuals that not only put their signatures on our early US currency, they were three of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence – a colonial document no collector will ever be able to privately own at any price.
For crisp uncirculated colonial notes with any random signatures, expect to spend in the $300 to $600 range. For more rare notes from particular colonies, prices rise to the $900+ range.
Colonial paper money signed by Hart, Hopkinson or Clymer sells for upwards of $3,000 to $4,000.
There is one tier of colonial currency with an even greater connection to the founding fathers. Some Pennsylvania notes have “Printed By Hall and Sellers” on the reverse. “Hall” was a pseudonym for the most famous Pennsylvanian printer of the day, Ben Franklin. Many of those notes still exist and sell in the $500 to $1,000 range.
Even more direct are Pennsylvania or Delaware notes clearly stating that they were printed by “B. Franklin and D. Hall.” There is a good chance that Franklin actually held those notes in his hand as they were printed and cut into single bills. Bills bearing the indication they were printed by Franklin were most often produced in the 1750s and ‘60s. Their value today is between $1,000 to $3,000.
Whatever the cost, it’s amazing to hold something so connected to our founding. It‘s also about as close as any of us can hope to get to touching something actually held by a founding father.
Happy Independence Day!
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