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No.311. Revere Sword in Hand Note. Signed by Wheeler and Plympton. Printed on rigid thick paper. Texts, titles and dates enclosed within three engraved scroll flourishes, serial number cartouche lower left. Lower left, small ship at wharf vignette that varies in style depending on denomination. Revere engraved patriot back, holding sword and scroll with MAGNA CHARTA. Motto curving above ‘Issued in defence of American Liberty.’ Latin motto ‘Ense petit placidem, sub Libertate . Quietem’ (By arms he seeks peace with freedom). Denomination at top and date at bottom. The Newman Plate Note. Illustrated on page 208, and also plated on the back cover, of the fifth edition. An illustrious paper currency note which stands among the giants of all early American numismatics: coins, medals and paper money. The legendary F.C.C. Boyd holdings had been viewed by few first-hand, and there were only rumors of some of the contents among those with the elite credentials to be welcomed by Ford to see tidbits of this trove. Even his close friend, Dr. Douglas B. Ball, was allowed only to view the notes but not conduct a thorough study during the 1970’s and 1980’s, when they both lived in Rockville Centre, Long Island. Luckily, in May 2003, the Boyd Colonial paper money collections were finally seen in their entirety at Stack’s premises on 57th Street by cataloguers Hodder and Hagen, and the Stack partners. The Massachusetts collection was by far the greatest and most important with ‘’Everest-esque’’ peaks, such as the 1690 note, over 40 early Pre-1750 notes, and, of course, 52 Paul Revere Sword in Hand notes. Almost all of the ‘’Swords’’ were genuine and covered all four issue dates of the iconic style. The Tremont Collection contains Revere ‘’Swords’’ from each of the four issues. The stunning 5 Shillings catalogued here is practically perfect, and was noted so when first auctioned in May 2005 at the Atlanta Ford X auction. Close inspection on one or two corners reveals some trivial, meaningless handling. The bold printing on both sides is sensational and the note is broad sheet margined on the left and bottom. The other two margins are ample. The two signatures are inked to perfection in differing colors. The back registration is dead-on perfect and evenly placed on the paper. Back margins are wide and proportional to the face. Without a doubt, the finest known of the type and, in our opinion, the finest looking Revere Sword in Hand note of all. This superb Revere note could share a display case with a Gem Chain Cent, the finest NE Shilling, a Gold Comitia Americana medal, and an 1804 Dollar and rival your attentive eye readily. As such, its tremendous rarity in this loftiest state of preservation has kept it unjustifiably obscure compared to so many other United States Federal coins and numismatic items. This represents a truly outstanding opportunity to own such an elite Colonial American note. We are proud to offer this mesmerizing Revere note, plated in Eric Newman’s Early American Paper Money, without rival at this World’s Fair of Money auction.
From the Tremont Collection; Stack’s John J. Ford, Jr. Collection Part X Sale, May 26, 2005, Lot 4648; F.C.C. Boyd Estate.
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