Item number: A177

Year: AD 1772

Material: Paper

Size: 71.0 x 59.0 mm

Provenance: Heritage Auctions 2024

This object is identified as a four-pence paper currency originating from Pennsylvania, bearing the date of April 3rd, AD 1772. The obverse showcases wording “Four-pence 3243. According to an Act of General Assembly of Pennsylvania, passed in the 12th Year of the Reign of his Majesty George the 3rd. Dated the Third Day of April, Anno Domini(AD) 1772. A Groat” with the coat of arms of William Penn, the founder of the colonial Pennsylvania. While the reverse featured inscriptions “Printed by D.Hall and W.Sellers AD 1772.”

Pennsylvania’s colonial history is deeply intertwined with the vision and endeavors of William Penn, who established the colony as a refuge for Quakers and championed principles of religious tolerance and self-governance. In March AD 1681 Charles II of England signed a charter giving any unoccupied regions to William Penn in payment of a debt owed by the king to Penn’s father, Adm. Sir William Penn. The charter, which was officially proclaimed on April 2, AD 1681, named the territory for Admiral Penn and included also the term sylvania (“woodlands”), at the son’s request. His efforts culminated in the establishment of a robust governmental structure based on democratic principles and equitable treatment of Native American populations. By the onset of the American Revolution, Pennsylvania had evolved into a hub of revolutionary activity, hosting pivotal events such as the Continental Congresses and the signing of the Declaration of Independence, thereby solidifying its role in shaping the trajectory of American nationhood.

The Pennsylvania pound served as the primary currency within the region until its discontinuation in AD 1793. Denominations of this AD 1772 version encompassed various values, including the three pence, four pence, six pence, nine pence, eighth pence, two shillings, two shillings and six pence, and forty shillings increments. This currency system owes its conceptualization to Francis Rawle, a prominent Quaker and colonial figure in Philadelphia, who advocated for its implementation to address the financial challenges confronting the colonial government. Rawle’s concerns primarily pertained to the difficulties faced by the impoverished populace in acquiring sufficient silver or copper coinage to meet their essential needs. The idea was widely popular, and in AD 1723, the provincial assembly authorized issuance of the paper money.

Pennsylvania economic depression:

By AD 1720, the colony was in the midst of a full-blown depression, exacerbated by both local and transatlantic factors. While the collapse of the South Sea Bubble contributed to this downturn, other significant influences included the termination of Pennsylvania’s flour trade dominance and the imposition of high interest rates in Britain following the South Sea Bubble crisis. Moreover, the scarcity of currency within the colony impeded domestic trade, resulting in adverse effects on various sectors such as shipping, iron-working, agriculture, and artisanal endeavors.

物件編號: A177

年代: 公元 1772 年

材質: 紙

尺寸: 71.0 x 59.0 mm

來源: 海瑞德拍賣行 2024

這個物件是一張來自賓夕法尼亞州的四便士紙幣，日期為公元1772年4月3日。正面展示著文字「四便士3243，根據賓夕法尼亞州大會的法令，制定於喬治三世陛下在位的第12年。日期為公元1772年4月3日。一枚銀幣」，配有賓夕法尼亞殖民地的創始人威廉·佩恩的紋章。而反面則標有「印刷於D.Hall和W.Sellers 公元1772年。」的字樣。

賓夕法尼亞的殖民歷史與威廉·佩恩的願景和努力密切相關，他將殖民地建立為貴格會信徒的避難所，並倡導宗教寬容和自治原則。在英格蘭，查理二世於公元1681年3月簽署了一項憲章，將任何未被佔領的土地給予威廉·佩恩，以支付國王欠佩恩父親威廉·彭爵士的債務。這項憲章在公元1681年4月2日正式宣布，將領土命名為彭海爾，也包括了“sylvania”（“森林地帶”）這一術語，應其子的要求而加入。他的努力最終在民主原則和對待美洲原住民的公平上建立了堅實的政府結構。到了美國革命的開端，賓夕法尼亞已經演變成了一個革命活動的中心，舉辦了重要事件，如大陸會議和獨立宣言的簽署，從而鞏固了其在塑造美國國家歷程中的地位。

賓夕法尼亞鎊在該地區的主要貨幣，直到公元1793年才停用。此公元1772年版本的面包括三便士、四便士、六便士、九便士、十八便土、兩先令、兩先令六便士及四十先令。這個貨幣系統的概念歸功於費朗西斯·羅爾，他是賓夕法尼亞州費城的一名著名貴格會成員和殖民地人物，他主張實施這一制度以應對殖民地政府面臨的財政困境。羅爾主要關心的是貧困人口在購買足夠的銀幣或銅幣以滿足其基本需求方面所面臨的困難。這個構想廣受歡迎，在公元1723年，省議會授權發行紙幣。

賓夕法尼亞經濟蕭條:

到了公元1720年，殖民地陷入了全面的經濟蕭條，這在一定程度上是由於南海泡沫的破裂所導致的。雖然南海泡沫的破裂促成了這一衰退，但其他重要因素包括賓夕法尼亞麵粉貿易主導地位的終結以及南海泡沫危機後英國高利率的實施。此外，殖民地內貨幣的稀缺阻礙了國內貿易，對航運、鐵工業、農業和工匠等各個行業造成了不利影響。

紙幣作為交換媒介的採納源於馬薩諸塞州和南卡羅來納州等殖民地，那裡在帝國衝突期間的貨幣短缺迫使殖民地當局發行了公共信用票據。這些票據實際上是法定貨幣，分發給政府債權人，並以未來稅收收入的承諾為支撐。到公元1714年，另外六個英國殖民地也創建了流通的紙幣；用於繳稅、償還債務和與鄰居進行貿易，公共信用票據很快就成為了早期美國戰爭和商業的支柱。隨後，紙幣的意義超越了其最初的實用功能，成為殖民地經濟和政治結構中不可或缺的重要組成部分。