NC Currency 1785 Blue Paper Test Specimen/Detector

North Carolina Currency
Unique & Finest Known December 29, 1785 North Carolina Blue Paper "Test Specimen/Detector" Ten Shillings Ch. EF+
North Carolina Currency, December 29, 1785 Act at Newbern, Blue Paper "Test Specimen/Counterfeit Detector," Ten Shillings, "Crown and Book" Vignette, HILLSBOROUGH: Printed by THOMAS DAVIS, Choice Crisp Extremely Fine or better.
Fr. NC-215DET. Unique and the Finest Known, 10 Shillings, "Crown and Book" vignette, Special Blue Paper "Test Specimen/Counterfeit Detector" printed from the original authentic Copper-Plate, Choice Crisp About Uncirculated. An important note for the Colonial Currency specialists of all series. Outstanding and lovely in its print quality and centering within very large margins. Unnumbered and unsigned as issued. Blue "Counterfeit Detector" or "Specimen" Note measuring 110 mm x 77 mm. This note is printed on both sides on a special Blue Detector Paper, watermarked with a large central "NORTH / CAROLINA". The special blue paper is not as thin as usually seen on other detector bills of the period. Eric Newman refers to these type of notes as "Test Specimens". Similar to other notes of the series. The face has an elaborate ornate border cut frame, enclosing the enactment texts and bold denomination at the top "TEN SHILLINGS". Underneath, towards the left side, is a small vignette of a "Crown and Book". Serial number space at the lower left and signature space at the lower right are provided for completion on issued notes. The bottom border cut with "COUNTERFEITERS - BEWARE". The printed back orientation is made parallel to the face and uses an ornamental border to enclose its typeset texts. At the top, the denomination and in the center the "TEN SHILLINGS" obligation. At the right end a warning, "Counterfeiters shall suffer Death!" and wording "TWO CROWNS". At the left end the imprint "HILLSBOROUGH: Printed by THOMAS DAVIS." with the letters of his name alternating with decorative ornaments. On this rare series of notes, the printer, Thomas Davis prepared these unusual Blue Paper watermarked with "NORTH - CAROLINA" being "Specimen" or "Counterfeit Detector" bills. Eric Newman is vague on them. This current note is the only example known, being unmistakably blue in color and has the full, custom large bold central watermark. It is unusual that this Unique Paper type has been seen on only this denomination, and not used for the entire issue.
Stack's original description speculates: "The question remains if this note was printed from a single sample plate, made for approval of the Newbern, North Carolina Assembly, and if so the intent, that would categorize it as a "Specimen" or "Proof" type note. No matter, this note is attractive, solid and a great rarity and enigmatic." Provenance Ex: Stack's Boyd/Ford Collection Sale Part X, May 26, 2005, Lot 4772 (with its holder tag).
KEYWORDS:
Rare Currency, Colonial Currency, Historic Paper Money, Early Paper Money of America, North Carolina Colonial Currency, Revolutionary War Paper Money, Colonial America, Printing Paper Money, North Carolina Fiscal Paper Note, Hand Signed Paper Money, North Carolina Currency