1759 DELAWARE COLONIAL CURRENCY — TWENTY SHILLINGS — PRINTED BY BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
An Original Colonial American Currency Note — June 1, 1759
Offered is an original Twenty Shillings colonial currency note issued by the Government of the Counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex upon Delaware, dated June 1, 1759.
This scarce colonial note is identified as Fr. DE-68 and was printed in Philadelphia by Benjamin Franklin and David Hall. The issue was authorized during the French & Indian War and circulated within the three Delaware counties.
The note bears the elaborate engraved ornamentation characteristic of Franklin's colonial currency work, including the distinctive lion vignette and the famous warning:
“TO COUNTERFEIT IS DEATH.”
The reverse incorporates the natural-history “nature print” security device used on this series. The original issue was signed by William Armstrong, John Barns, and David Hall.
Franklin's involvement is particularly significant. This is genuine colonial paper money printed by Benjamin Franklin's press, making it an appealing piece of early American printing, financial and monetary history.
The note dates to 17 years before the Declaration of Independence, when the American colonies were still subjects of King George II.
Identification: Delaware Colonial Currency, Fr. DE-68
Denomination: Twenty Shillings
Date: June 1, 1759
Issuing Authority: Government of New Castle, Kent & Sussex upon Delaware
Printers: Benjamin Franklin & David Hall
Signers: William Armstrong, John Barns & David Hall
Period: French & Indian War
Condition: Good/Very Good Details; substantial age-related wear, soiling, horizontal splitting/separation, edge loss and faded manuscript signatures. The note remains identifiable with substantial original printed material present.
Important: This is not a Benjamin Franklin autograph. Franklin was the printer of the issue; the authorized signatures were those of Armstrong, Barns and Hall.
A fascinating and genuinely early piece of American colonial currency, especially suitable for collectors of Benjamin Franklin material, colonial currency, Delaware history, early American printing, and French & Indian War-era Americana.
An Original Colonial American Currency Note — June 1, 1759
Offered is an original Twenty Shillings colonial currency note issued by the Government of the Counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex upon Delaware, dated June 1, 1759.
This scarce colonial note is identified as Fr. DE-68 and was printed in Philadelphia by Benjamin Franklin and David Hall. The issue was authorized during the French & Indian War and circulated within the three Delaware counties.
The note bears the elaborate engraved ornamentation characteristic of Franklin's colonial currency work, including the distinctive lion vignette and the famous warning:
“TO COUNTERFEIT IS DEATH.”
The reverse incorporates the natural-history “nature print” security device used on this series. The original issue was signed by William Armstrong, John Barns, and David Hall.
Franklin's involvement is particularly significant. This is genuine colonial paper money printed by Benjamin Franklin's press, making it an appealing piece of early American printing, financial and monetary history.
The note dates to 17 years before the Declaration of Independence, when the American colonies were still subjects of King George II.
Identification: Delaware Colonial Currency, Fr. DE-68
Denomination: Twenty Shillings
Date: June 1, 1759
Issuing Authority: Government of New Castle, Kent & Sussex upon Delaware
Printers: Benjamin Franklin & David Hall
Signers: William Armstrong, John Barns & David Hall
Period: French & Indian War
Condition: Good/Very Good Details; substantial age-related wear, soiling, horizontal splitting/separation, edge loss and faded manuscript signatures. The note remains identifiable with substantial original printed material present.
Important: This is not a Benjamin Franklin autograph. Franklin was the printer of the issue; the authorized signatures were those of Armstrong, Barns and Hall.
A fascinating and genuinely early piece of American colonial currency, especially suitable for collectors of Benjamin Franklin material, colonial currency, Delaware history, early American printing, and French & Indian War-era Americana.
