American Revolution
1777 State of the Massachusetts Bay 6% Yearly Interest Bond with a Colonial Minuteman with his Sword In Hand
December 1, 1777-Dated Revolutionary War Period, State of the Massachusetts Bay 6% Annual Interest Bond made to Privateer Ichabod Coffin for 42 Pounds 17 shillings, with Vignette Seal at upper left of a "Rattlesnake Eating Its Tail" surrounding a Colonial Minuteman with his Sword In Hand, the other hand holding a copy of the Declaration of Independence, Framed, Very Fine.
This popular original State of the Massachusetts Bay 6% Annual Interest Bond helped raise funds for the ongoing Revolutionary War expenses. This example has large margins and is signed by "H(enry) Gardner, Treasurer, having a manuscript cancel to his signature. Light even overall tone, measures 9" tall x 8" wide (by sight) and framed to 13" tall x 12" wide in a simple wooden frame (can be removed and shipped without frame as desired). This Bond is made to (Privateer) Ichabod Coffin, born on Nantucket Island, Mass. in 1750. Coffin was actively involved in the Revolutionary War effort, who served as a Privateer, which meant he operated privately-owned ships authorized by the government to attack enemy vessels during wartime. His actions, like those of many Privateers, helped to weaken British control of the seas and support the American cause for Independence. After the Revolutionary War, Coffin likely returned to Nantucket or continued his seafaring career.