April 2021 Auction Ends Thursday, April 29th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/29/2021
Very scarce debt certificate signed by Paul Revere during the Revolutionary War, issued by the Massachusetts-Bay Colony to raise badly needed funds for the war. Issued 19 February 1777, this note is signed by Revere on the verso, acknowledging annual interest in the amount of 12 shillings, dated 23 February 1778. Beautifully signed ''Paul Revere'' with an elegant paraph accentuating his signature.
Revere was known to have invested his own funds in the Revolutionary War via debt certificates, so much so that he suffered financially during the war as a result. Since Revere was a soldier from 1777-78, and not a member of the colonial legislature, the most likely reason he would have signed the note is as lender, acknowledging interest received. Front of note is signed by Henry Gardner as Treasurer and Receiver-general of the colony, and by two of Gardner's Boston deputies: William Cooper, and Nathaniel Appleton.
Massachusetts-Bay was the first colony in 1776 to issue debt certificates to pay for the war effort, with this note in February 1777 an early example. Note is number 16317, with a double hatch mark over Gardner's signature indicating that the note was eventually repaid in full. With elaborate letterpress scrollwork along border, reading ''BOUNTY NOTE'' along left edge, partly-printed note measures approximately 6.375'' x 6.75'' on cream laid paper. Intersecting folds, neither affecting signature, with split starting along right horizontal fold. Trimmed along left edge. Overall very good condition. With University Archives COA. A fantastic example of Revere's signature from the Revolutionary War, with patriotic association to the war effort.
Scarce Paul Revere Signed ''Bounty Note'' From 1777 Issued by the Massachusetts-Bay Colony to Fund the Revolutionary War -- Likely Revere's Personally Owned Debt Note -- With University Archives COA
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