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Massachusetts 30-shilling Note (1775) - Defiance of British Currency Act

This Massachusetts 30-shilling note from 1775, authorized by the Massachusetts Provisional Congress and designed by Paul Revere, was issued in defiance of the Currency Act. The note reflects the colonists' determination to defend their liberties and fight for independence. It is now part of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History collection.

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Massachusetts 30-shilling Note (1775) - Defiance of British Currency Act

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  1. Object: Massachusetts thirty-shilling note Date: 1775 Materials: Paper and Ink Size: 4” high x 3” wide Authorized by: Massachusetts Provisional Congress Designed and printed by: Paul Revere From the collections of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History Kenneth E. Behring Center

  2. A shilling was a denomination of British currency. • The colony printed paper money because it had no natural sources of gold or silver for coinage. • Sword-in-hand notes were issued in sixteen denominations.

  3. Issued to finance military costs. • Issued in defiance of the Currency Act (1764) that made it illegal for the colonies to print paper money.

  4. The colonists were prepared to defend their liberties at any cost. • “the arms we have been compelled by our enemies to assume, we will, in defiance of every hazard, with unabating firmness and perseverance, employ for the preservation of our liberties; being with our [one] mind resolved to dye Free-men rather than live Slaves.” -- Thomas Jefferson Causes and Necessity of Taking up Arms July 6, 1775

  5. The Continental Army was authorized by Congress on June 14, 1775, following • the fighting at Lexington and Concord. • Paul Revere's design was intended to rally liberty-minded colonists and challenge British government and military officials.

  6. The solider has drawn his sword to defend his "just rights and liberties." • The rights set forth in the Magna Carta (1215) evolved into English common law and were incorporated into colonial charters. • These rights included: • Equal protection under the law • Protection of personal property • Trial by a jury of peers • No taxation without consent • Punishment appropriate to the crime • Protection from prosecution without evidence

  7. Translation of the Latin phrase (which was adopted as the Massachusetts motto in 1775): “By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty”

  8. The August 18, 1775 note was the first of four issues distributed to the general public.

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