HENRY MIDDLETON Signed Colonial South Carolina April 29, 1775 50 Pound Note

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A Revolutionary Numismatic Auction

By Early American History Auctions

Jul 24, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-07-24 12:00:00 2021-07-24 12:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : A Revolutionary Numismatic Auction https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/early-american-history-auctions/a-revolutionary-numismatic-auction-7186
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• Lot Description
  South Carolina Currency
  1775 Exceedingly Rare "Henry Middleton" Signed South Carolina Note Rarity, President of the Continental Congress
  HENRY MIDDLETON. President of the Continental Congress from South Carolina (The only "Collectable" examples of Henry Middleton's signature for autograph collectors are found on this issue of notes.)
  Fr. SC-97.2. South Carolina. April 29, 1775. Fifty Pounds. Handwritten Date. Promissory Note. Signed "Henry Middleton", Certified by PMG as Genuine and graded Choice Fine-15. Henry Middleton (1717 - June 13, 1784) was the President of the Continental Congress, representing South Carolina. The only "collectable" and reasonably affordable examples of Henry Middleton's signature for autograph collectors are found solely as a signer on this South Carolina issue of notes. This rare series was issued for only two months, between April and May of 1775. This ornately engraved 50 South Carolina Currency "Promissory Note of Citizens" has a larger size format that measures about 4.5" x 6.25" and is of a unique style. This Large Format note has scattered ink burn within the serial number and signatures with manuscript cancel as noted on its PMG holder. There are a few minor marginal edge splits, however all its margins are fully wide for this issue, with all printed text and its ornate devices seen fully on the laid period paper. Listed in Eric Newman's reference "THE EARLY PAPER MONEY OF AMERICA", this Colonial South Carolina currency note is considered the only form available to acquire an example of Henry Middleton's autograph. This historic Revolutionary War note issue was authorized to start being signed and issued on April 18th, 1775, the night the British Redcoats marched from Boston to be met the following day at Lexington and Concord. April 19th, 1775 was the day of "the shot heard around the world" and the start of the American Revolutionary War. Signed, "Henry Middleton" in deep dark brown ink with his huge signature measuring just over 3" long and clearly readable beneath the manuscript cancel line. There are no other detractions on the engraved highly decorative reverse. Its design is exceptionally ornate, showing a display of a Crowned Rose, Thistle flanking Fleur-de-lis and a Harp printed on fresh clean paper having very pleasing eye appeal. The designs on both sides are clear and sharp, the printed text fully readable. All five signatures and the date are written in brown ink including: Henry Middleton, Roger Smith, Th.(omas) Lynch, M.(iles) Brewton, and B.(enjamin) Huger. The "key" signature of Henry Middleton is at top, a cancel line through his very large being nearly 3" long signature written above the others. This note issue type is also illustrated in Charles Hamilton's classic reference book on collecting Autographs. This example is significantly finer in quality than the Newman illustration plate note (which also has a dark manuscript cancel line drawn across Middleton's name). The last similar example we offered was a 50 note, also with a dark manuscript cancel line running directly through "Henry Middleton" which sold our EAHA Auction June 3, 2016, Lot 2112, stating "Manuscript Canceled" PCGS graded EF-40 which then sold for $4,800. A wonderful opportunity to acquire a key Signer of the Declaration of Independence.
  
  
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