The Copper Plate, which the seven dollar Bills of 1776, were struck from

Object Status:

Unlocated

Primary Source Reference:

Peale Museum Accessions Book, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, p. 40

Notes:

Continental currency notes of the denomination of $7 were authorized by Resolutions of the Continental Congress in 1775 and on 17 Feb, 9 May, 22 July, and 2 Nov 1776. See Eric P. Newman, The Early Paper Money of America, 5th ed. (Iola, Wis., 2008), p. 61. The notes were designed by Benjamin Franklin and printed in Philadelphia by his successors Sellers and Hall. Franklin wrote of his $7 bill: "Another of the bills has for its device, a storm descending from a black heavy cloud, with the motto, SERENABIT; It will clear up. This seems designed to encourage the dejected, who may be too sensible of present inconveniences, and fear their continuance. It reminds them, agreeable to the adage, that after a storm comes a calm." (Pennsylvania Gazette, 20 Sep 1775) The nature print on the back is of a buttercup. The paper contains blue threads and mica flakes to deter counterfeiting.

Matthew Semple immigrated to America in 1798 and for years operated a shipping business in Philadelphia.