Set Description:
This Denomination Set is the result of my efforts to assemble various Maryland Resolution Sets. My initial focus over the past few years has been primarily on Resolution Set #1 of 1733, Set #6 of 1767 (the first use of the monetary term dollar in North America), Set #7 of 1770 and Set #8 of 1774 of the Colonial Maryland series.
I feel the highlight of this Denomination set is the complete 1733 Resolution Set #1. The 1733 Colonial Maryland 1st Resolution Series Notes consisted of seven (7) denominations ranging from 1 shilling to 20 shillings cataloged by Friedberg as MD-1 thru MD-7. These Notes are among the more sought-after Maryland colonial types, valued for both their rarity and their direct connection to pre-independence America. Issued under Colonial Maryland’s early paper money system, the 1733 Series Notes are tangible artifacts from a formative period in American economic history. Colonial currency was produced to support local trade and public expenses, and surviving examples are far scarcer than later federal issues. Counterfeits of MD-6 and MD-7 are known to have been made during their circulating period.
As a native Marylander growing up on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay near Annapolis and with family roots dating back to 1710 in colonial Maryland, the personal connection and challenge of assembling a unique collection of historic Colonial Maryland Notes is special to say the least.
While working on family genealogy I came across a 1962 ANA article by Richard T. Hoober about the “Financial History of Colonial Maryland.” Additionally, there was the March 2023 ANA article about the colonial printer Jonas Green and his family of printers. These two articles inspired me to start working on Colonial Maryland currency. My wife and son gave me a copy of Eric P. Newman’s book on “The Early Paper Money of America” which has been a wonderful resource. Starting out knowing little about currency, it has been an interesting and enjoyable journey. Along the way I have connected with an outstanding dealer Logan Track of “COLONIAL CURRENCY Hub” who has been very generous with his time and knowledge. For this I am truly thankful!
• Emission and/or Resolution is the term used for the authorization currency by the Colonial Maryland General Assembly.
• Maryland has a deep and rich history in the formation of the United States early financial and monetary systems.
• Maryland was charted by Act of the British Parliament in 1632 as the first permanent English colony in North America.
• Due to the British Governments draconian financial and monetary system for the North American Colonies, each of the thirteen (13) colonies had different Royal Charters.
• From 1733 to 1781 Maryland authorized sixteen (16) Resolutions.
• Over the sixteen (16) Resolutions there are a total of (138) Maryland Colonial Notes were issued.
• Each Resolution issued different values (monetary amounts) and numbers of Notes.
• On January 1, 1767 Maryland’s 6th Resolution issued for the first time currency in North America in terms of a Dollar instead of a British Pound. The Maryland Notes were backed and redeemable based on a Spanish Milled Silver Dollar. Thus, tying the colonial currency to silver. There were a total of eleven (11) different denominations issued: $1/9, $1/6, $2/9, $1/3, $1/2, $2/3, $1, $2, $4, $6 and $8. On the $1 Dollar Note (MD-44), an image of a Spanish Milled Silver dollar is depicted.
• From 1751 to 1781 all Maryland currency was printed in Annapolis, Maryland by the official colonial printers the (Green) family. Jonas Green a protégé” of Benjamin Franklin and his wife Anne Catharine Green established their home and printing shop at 124 Charles, Annapolis, Md. This where the first $1 Dollar bill was printed in North America!
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