Colonial
Currency, Massachusetts, 12 Pence, 1776
Paul Revere engraved this note from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. An image
of a codfish, which symbolized prosperity for the Massachusetts fisheries,
is depicted on the front side of the note. |
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Continental
Currency, one-third dollar, 1776
Benjamin Franklin printed this note, which was issued to finance the American
Revolution. Backed solely by the promise of tax revenues upon victory, "Continentals" were
quickly devalued, leading to the popular expression, "not worth a Continental." |