A Rare New Jersey Colonial Note

Certain numismatic items fall into the class of "very hard to find, but not necessarily expensive when you do." A recent example is a New Jersey January 26, 1756 18-pence note, offered by Stack's Bowers as lot 97006 in their October 24, 2024 Collector's Choice Online Auction. The Stack's Bowers catalog indicated "No. 4083. Plate A. Third War Issue. The earliest dated New Jersey 18d of all known pieces.

This extremely rare piece is believed to be unique and features the signatures of Samuel Nevill, Joseph Yard, Joseph Hollinshead. Unrepresented in the collections of Boyd, Ford, Newman, Budde and other numismatic luminaries. Pinned and sewn to prolong circulation." This example realized $216.

The Newman inventory, entered by hand into a 1967 first edition copy of Early Paper Money of America, confirms its absence in the Newman collection. Indeed, the Heritage Auctions archive lists only three examples of any January 26, 1756 denomination, while Stack's Bowers lists four pieces, going back to sales of 2005. Most notes of these emissions were redeemed, leaving few examples for modern collectors.

Newman Portal acknowledges Ed Sarrafian for bringing this piece to our attention and for contributing related images.

Images: New Jersey January 26, 1756 18-pence note, courtesy of Stack's Bowers.

Link to NNP edition of Early Paper Money of America:
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/imagecollection/513468

Link to Newman's 1967 colonial paper money collection inventory:
https://archive.org/details/earlypaperinventory1967epnarchives