(Upper Louisiana) -Sam'l Solomon \"Bon Scrip\" for 20 Piastres to Francoise Liberge Undated (ca. 1805). PCGS Very Fine 30. An extremely rare and choice example of this uniquely styled North American paper currency. On page 163 of the fifth edition, Eric discusses private Bons as \"an element in the circulating medium, particularly in the Missouri River fur trade. Bons were given to suppliers by fur trappers and traders to be paid on the return from an expedition. Some were promissory notes and others were bearer obligations.\" This is one of only three Bon scrip pieces in this sale, and we believe it is the first cataloged in a United States numismatic auction. There were none in the F.C.C. Boyd estate or the Ford Collection auctions. These \"Bons\" have been in the Newman Collection for decades. Their direct tie to early fur trading in the region makes them more significant and hundreds of times rarer than the territorial banknotes issued a dozen years later. Hand accomplished in French, issued by and signed by Sam'l Solomon to Francoise Liberge for 20 piastres (or other dollar-sized silver coins like Spanish 8 Reales) \"next March.\" On page 166 of the 5th edition of The Early Paper Money of America, Newman describes Solomon as \"an intelligencer from Canada of Jewish descent\" who was employed by a number of businesses in St. Louis. Records also show he was licensed in 1809 to provide ferry services on the Mississippi River. Liberge, likely born in Quebec and probably a trapper, was one of the signers (with his mark) of the Wilkinson Memorial, a letter of support for the governor to the President Thomas Jefferson by St. Louis residents. This note's compact format made it convenient to carry and redeem later. Laid paper, 9.0 cm by 7.2 cm. The back is docketed as \"No. 10/20ps. This is a beautiful example, and the Newman Collection Bon scrip are the first we have cataloged or seen offered at auction. A choice piece, payable in defined silver coins. It is charming and important. French Transcription: Bon pour vingt piastres Argent Courant payble dans le Courant de Mars Prochain pr. Franc.. Liberge Sam'l Solomon Translation: Good for twenty dollars Current money payable during next March pr. [pour] franc.. [Fran?ois] Liberge Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society \n\n
From Newman VIII (Heritage Auctions, 11/2017), lot 28320, realized $8400. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.
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