Colonial Currency, NY. Dec. 10, 1737 2 by Zenger

New York Currency
December 10, 1737 2 Colony of New York Major Rarity Printed by Freedom of the Press publisher John Peter Zenger
Colony of New York, December 10, 1737, Two Pounds, printed by the famous historic "Freedom of the Press" newspaper publisher John Peter Zenger, Very Fine.
Fr. NY-99. An exceedingly rare early New York Colonial issue, this note printed by the famous historic "Freedom of the Press" newspaper publisher, John Peter Zenger. This uniface original genuine note is well centered with all designs and text clear. It has some conservation including a number of scattered repairs mostly to the upper central portion of the note at the centerfold. Three signatures and the serial number are present, including; Simon Johnson, James Alexander and S. Rowe. Its overall appearance is of a solid pleasing Very Fine in grade. It is clean and even in its appearance. The Arms of New York vignette design at the right side is fully printed and very clear. This is an important, highly historic early New York note that is missing from virtually every collection. It is likely that less than a dozen examples known to exist in all qualities. There is no prior value provided in any grade where listed in the (2008) 5th Edition of Newman, no prior 2 price record then known. The only prior example we offered was in our EAHA Auction of December 12, 2014, Lot 343, graded Fine with repairs, conservation and backed with contemporary laid paper which sold for $5,100. PMG Top Pop reports a single VF-20 note. This current note is of superior quality, possibly the Finest Known, and worthy of serious consideration as a major New York currency rarity, printed on the famous printing press by John Peter Zenger.
John Peter Zenger (1697-1746) was a German American Printer, Publisher, Editor and Journalist in New York City. Zenger printed "The New York Weekly Journal" newspaper. He was a defendant in a landmark legal case in American jurisprudence, known as "The Zenger Trial." It established the precedent that a statement, even if defamatory, is not libelous if it can be proved, thus affirming Freedom of the Press in America; however, succeeding Royal Governors clamped down on Freedom of the Press until the American Revolution. That historic trial determined that "truth" was a defense against charges of libel and "laid the foundation for American press freedom."
In late 1733, John Peter Zenger began printing "The New Weekly Journal" to voice his opinions critical of the Colonial Governor, William Cosby. On Sunday, November 17, 1734, Zenger was arrested and charged with seditious libel. After more than eight months in prison, Zenger went to trial defended by illustrious Philadelphia lawyer Andrew Hamilton. The case was now a cause clbre with public interest at fever-pitch. Rebuffed repeatedly by Chief DeLancey during the trial, attorney Hamilton decided to plead his client's case directly to the jury. After the arguments for both sides were finished, the jury was retired, only to return in ten minutes with a verdict of not guilty!
KEYWORDS:
Rare Currency, Colonial Currency, Historic Paper Money, Early Paper Money of America, New York Currency, Peter Zenger Paper Money, Colonial America, Printing Paper Money, New York Fiscal Paper Note, Zenger Trial