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DJR Expert Guide Series, Vol. 503 — Master Guide to Appraising Early American Currency (Colonial & Continental)
Early American currency—colonial issues, Continental Congress notes, state emissions, and circulating foreign substitutes—represents one of the most historically significant areas of U.S. numismatics. These fragile paper notes reveal the financial struggles of emerging colonies, Revolutionary War inflation, security innovations by Benjamin Franklin, and the economic experimentation that shaped the early United States. Because forgeries and reprints exist from the 18th century through the modern era, accurate appraisal requires a structured, non-destructive workflow.
DJR Expert Guide Series, Vol. 503 provides the complete professional framework for evaluating early American currency safely and confidently. This guide explains how to identify authentic rag paper, analyze printing methods, study laid lines and watermarks, distinguish contemporaneous counterfeits from modern reproductions, authenticate signatures, assess condition, detect restoration, evaluate rarity, and assign accurate market value using historically grounded criteria.
Inside this Master Guide, you’ll learn how experts:
Identify colonial, Continental, and state-issued note types
Distinguish rag, laid, and wove paper using safe observation techniques
Recognize authentic letterpress and intaglio printing characteristics
Examine nature-print backs, chain designs, mottos, and Franklin/Revere engravings
Authenticate handwritten signatures and period iron gall ink traits
Separate contemporaneous counterfeits from modern forgeries
Evaluate condition, folds, repairs, fading, staining, and paper thinning
Detect restoration including bleaching, pressing, replacement sections, and ink enhancement
Assess rarity based on emission date, survival rate, colony/state, and design features
Interpret provenance, serial numbers, and historical documentation
Apply a structured, non-destructive appraisal workflow to determine authenticity likelihood and market value
Whether evaluating a colonial nature-print note, a Continental paper bill, a state-issued emission, or a historically important signed example, this guide provides collectors and appraisers with the complete system needed to authenticate and appraise early American currency with accuracy.
Digital Download — PDF • 10 Pages • Instant Access
Early American currency—colonial issues, Continental Congress notes, state emissions, and circulating foreign substitutes—represents one of the most historically significant areas of U.S. numismatics. These fragile paper notes reveal the financial struggles of emerging colonies, Revolutionary War inflation, security innovations by Benjamin Franklin, and the economic experimentation that shaped the early United States. Because forgeries and reprints exist from the 18th century through the modern era, accurate appraisal requires a structured, non-destructive workflow.
DJR Expert Guide Series, Vol. 503 provides the complete professional framework for evaluating early American currency safely and confidently. This guide explains how to identify authentic rag paper, analyze printing methods, study laid lines and watermarks, distinguish contemporaneous counterfeits from modern reproductions, authenticate signatures, assess condition, detect restoration, evaluate rarity, and assign accurate market value using historically grounded criteria.
Inside this Master Guide, you’ll learn how experts:
Identify colonial, Continental, and state-issued note types
Distinguish rag, laid, and wove paper using safe observation techniques
Recognize authentic letterpress and intaglio printing characteristics
Examine nature-print backs, chain designs, mottos, and Franklin/Revere engravings
Authenticate handwritten signatures and period iron gall ink traits
Separate contemporaneous counterfeits from modern forgeries
Evaluate condition, folds, repairs, fading, staining, and paper thinning
Detect restoration including bleaching, pressing, replacement sections, and ink enhancement
Assess rarity based on emission date, survival rate, colony/state, and design features
Interpret provenance, serial numbers, and historical documentation
Apply a structured, non-destructive appraisal workflow to determine authenticity likelihood and market value
Whether evaluating a colonial nature-print note, a Continental paper bill, a state-issued emission, or a historically important signed example, this guide provides collectors and appraisers with the complete system needed to authenticate and appraise early American currency with accuracy.
Digital Download — PDF • 10 Pages • Instant Access