Note Highlights Issuer: Province of Pennsylvania Date of Issue: April 25, 1776 Denomination: 4 Pence (Four Pence) Catalog Reference: Friedberg PA-198 Serial Number: #22992 Plate Letter: C Printer: Hall and Sellers (successors to Benjamin Franklin’s Philadelphia printing press) Grade: PMG Gem Uncirculated 66 PPQ (Premium Paper Quality) Design Features Obverse: Textual layout detailing denomination and authorization by the Pennsylvania Assembly, with handwritten serial number and original ink signatures. Reverse: Bold nature print with the denomination clearly stated as Four Pence, a design technique pioneered by Franklin to deter counterfeiting by using impressions of real leaves. Paper: Laid rag paper typical of colonial issues, chosen for durability and resistance to wear. Historical Significance Issued just months before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, this note reflects the urgent financial measures taken by Pennsylvania to support the Revolutionary cause. Fractional denominations like this Four Pence were essential for daily commerce, as coin shortages plagued the colonies during the war. Printed by Hall and Sellers, Franklin’s legacy in currency printing lived on, combining artistry and anti-counterfeiting innovations.
