Name/Title
1776 three dollarsEntry/Object ID
2024.08.27.03Context
"An emission totaling $5,000,000 payable in Spanish milled dollars, or the equivalent in gold or silver, was authorized by the Continental Congress resolutions of May 9th and 27th, 1776. This issue is similar to that of the November 29, 1775 issue except for the bottom border which reads from left to right toward the bottom of the note, whereas in all other issues it looks upside down and reads toward the center of the bill. Denominations include the: $1, $2, $3, $4, $5, $6, $7 and $8."
Source: The Metropolitan Museum of Art , https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/732224Collection
Bank notesMade/Created
Date made
May 9, 1776Time Period
18th CenturyBanknote Details
Obverse
Transcription
The United Congress
Three Dollars. No. 52640
This bill entitles the bearer to receive three Spanish milled dollars or the value thereof in gold or silver, according to a resolution at Philadelphia, May 9, 1776.
J. HowardReverse
Transcription
Three Dollars
Philadelphia: Printed by Hall & Sellers 1776.Lexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
Money, PaperNomenclature Primary Object Term
MoneyNomenclature Class
Exchange MediaNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsGetty AAT
Concept
money (objects), paper moneyLOC Thesaurus for Graphic Materials
CurrencyDimensions
Height
3-3/4 inWidth
2-7/8 inLocation
Location
Container
Display Case 104Room
Charles Whipple Greene Historical CollectionBuilding
George Hail Free LibraryDate
May 20, 2025Notes
Item located in "FRAME 1"Location
Box
Box 11Room
Director's OfficeBuilding
George Hail Free LibraryDate
August 27, 2024Provenance
Provenance Detail
R.M. ColePlace
City
WarrenState/Province
Rhode IslandRegion
NortheastContinent
North AmericaAcquisition Method
GiftNotes/Remarks
Some cards in Card Catalog indicate an "R.M. Cole" gifted items to the Museum. The Cole family is well-known in Warren.Exhibition
Warren During the Revolutionary WarResearch Notes
Research Type
ResearcherNotes
"The seal on the bill is a combat between an eagle and a crane. The eagle on the wing has pounced upon the inferior bird; but the latter, moved by the natural law of self-preservation, turns upon the aggressor and receives him on the point of his long bill that pierces the eagle’s breast. The motto EXITUS IN DUBIO —translated "The end is in doubt" or "The result is uncertain" —- is explained by the device. The eagle represents Great Britain and the crane represents America. The crane (America) is warned not to count too much upon the success of its endeavors, such as petitions, remonstrances, negotiations, etc., but to use those means which God has placed in its power. The eagle (Britain) is admonished not to presume too much on its superior strength, as a weaker bird may mortally wound it."
Source: The Metropolitan Museum of Art , https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/732224Create Date
August 27, 2024Update Date
July 17, 2025
