New York Colonial Currency Two Dollar Note, September 2, 1775
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
September 2, 1775
This collectible colonial banknote is a two-dollar denomination currency note issued by the Colony of New York, dated September 2, 1775. The note represents a Revolutionary War-era issue, printed by John Holt and featuring the hand-signed signatures of officials including A.
Livingston and Tho. Tucker. The obverse is decorated with intricate borders and a central heraldic motif featuring two figures flanking an emblem, topped with crowns. The text explicitly states that the bill shall pass current in all payments within the colony for two Spanish milled dollars or their equivalent value in gold or silver, pursuant to the resolution of the Provincial Congress of New York. This specific specimen is identified as Friedberg number NY-178.
The banknote is presented in a protective holder, showcasing its original paper quality and distinct typography, characteristic of eighteenth-century colonial printing practices. It is noted for being well-centered with wide margins on all sides, reflecting the high standard of historical currency preservation.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- paper
- Denomination
- Two Dollars
Technical characteristics
- Printer
- John Holt
- Serial number
- 4445
- Friedberg number
- NY-178
Design
- Obverse
- Colony of New York text, heraldic emblem with two figures, inscriptions regarding Spanish milled dollars, signatures
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
- Maker named in listing
- John Holt
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Recorded
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Recorded
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.