1759 Colonial Delaware Twenty Shillings banknote Ben Franklin printer
Regular price
$549.00
This item is a genuine Colonial Delaware Twenty Shillings banknote dated June 1, 1759.
- History: It was authorized by an Act of Assembly for the "Counties of New-Castle, Kent, and Sussex upon Delaware" during the 32nd year of the reign of King George II.
- The Printer: This note was printed in Philadelphia by Benjamin Franklin and his partner David Hall. You can visually see part of Hall's name on the right side margin of the reverse side.
- Anti-Counterfeiting Features: The leaf design on the reverse side is a unique "nature print" developed by Benjamin Franklin. He pressed real leaves into plaster molds to create unique, highly detailed line patterns that were impossible for contemporary forgers to copy by hand. The back prominently bears the legal warning: "To Counterfeit is DEATH".
Condition Evaluation
The note pictured is a "split note" (cut or separated clean down the center fold line), which was common for heavily circulated colonial paper currency.
- Details: It shows significant fraying, rounding at the corners, creasing, and surface staining.
- Grade Assessment: In the numismatic market, a specimen in this state would generally grade around Poor to About Good (G-4 to G-6) if certified, or simply "Good Details (Split / Stained)" if uncertified
Regular price
$549.00
This item is a genuine Colonial Delaware Twenty Shillings banknote dated June 1, 1759.
- History: It was authorized by an Act of Assembly for the "Counties of New-Castle, Kent, and Sussex upon Delaware" during the 32nd year of the reign of King George II.
- The Printer: This note was printed in Philadelphia by Benjamin Franklin and his partner David Hall. You can visually see part of Hall's name on the right side margin of the reverse side.
- Anti-Counterfeiting Features: The leaf design on the reverse side is a unique "nature print" developed by Benjamin Franklin. He pressed real leaves into plaster molds to create unique, highly detailed line patterns that were impossible for contemporary forgers to copy by hand. The back prominently bears the legal warning: "To Counterfeit is DEATH".
Condition Evaluation
The note pictured is a "split note" (cut or separated clean down the center fold line), which was common for heavily circulated colonial paper currency.
- Details: It shows significant fraying, rounding at the corners, creasing, and surface staining.
- Grade Assessment: In the numismatic market, a specimen in this state would generally grade around Poor to About Good (G-4 to G-6) if certified, or simply "Good Details (Split / Stained)" if uncertified
