1776 Delaware Colonial Currency Note

Original Delaware colonial currency note dated January 1, 1776 and printed by James Adams of Wilmington during the opening year of the American Revolution.

Scarce Twenty Shillings denomination featuring the British royal arms on the face and the famous sheaf-of-wheat reverse with the inscription:

“To Counterfeit is Death.”

An important piece of early American and Revolutionary-era history issued just months before the Declaration of Independence.

Strong surviving detail with bold printing, signatures, and attractive eye appeal for the issue.

Condition is circulated with folds and handling consistent with age as shown in photographs, but the note remains complete, authentic, and highly displayable.

A desirable addition to any colonial currency, Revolutionary War, or early American collection.

This issue was authorized by the Assembly of the counties of:

Newcastle

Kent

Sussex upon Delaware

before formal independence from Britain.

The face bears:

the British royal arms,

handwritten signatures,

ornate engraved borders,

and denomination “XXs” (20 shillings).

The reverse features the distinctive sheaf of wheat vignette with the famous warning:

“To Counterfeit is Death.”

James Adams engraved and printed these notes and had previously worked with Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia.

This is cataloged as:

Friedberg DE-80 (20 Shillings, Jan. 1, 1776)

Condition

Very respectable for Revolutionary-era Delaware currency:

complete with full margins

solid signatures still visible

moderate circulation

center fold but not severely split

decent ink quality

attractive eye appeal overall

This is noticeably nicer than many surviving raw examples.