United States Continental Currency Twenty Dollars

Anonymous, American, 18th century American

Printer Hall and Sellers, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania American

1778

Not on view

Emissions totaling $75,001,080 payable in Spanish milled dollars, or the equivalent in gold or silver, were authorized by nine separate resolutions between September 26, 1778 and July 17, 1779. A large portion was authorized and issued simultaneously with the issue of January 14, 1779. Denominations printed were the: $5, $7, $8, $20, $30, $40, $50 and $60. On the 20-dollar bill is the rude representation of a tempestuous ocean. Above it, in the clouds is seen a face, from which are lines representing the furious blowing of wind upon the waters, whose waves impelled by it, are rolling all one way. The motto on the bill is VI CONCITAE —"Driven by force," or "Raised by Great Calm" — constrained by necessity.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: United States Continental Currency Twenty Dollars
Artist: Anonymous, American, 18th century
Printer: Hall and Sellers, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Date: 1778
Medium: Engraving, letterpress, and nature printing
Dimensions: Sheet: 3 3/4 × 2 11/16 in. (9.5 × 6.9 cm)
Classifications: Prints, Ephemera
Credit Line: Bequest of Charles Allen Munn, 1924
Object Number: 24.90.1542
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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