Famous Signers on Colonial Currency
"Henry Middleton" Signed South Carolina Colonial Note President of the Continental Congress
HENRY MIDDLETON (1717-1784). President of the Continental Congress from South Carolina (1774"1774).
"Henry Middleton" Signed Colonial Currency, South Carolina. April 20, 1775. Twenty Pounds. Handwritten Date. Promissory Note. No Cancel. PCGS graded Extremely Fine-45. Fr. SC-97.1. Listed in Eric Newman's reference book, THE EARLY PAPER MONEY OF AMERICA. This note is considered the only "Collectable" form for any example of Henry Middleton's autograph, typically only available when on this rare 1775 South Carolina currency issue. This current example has exceptional eye appeal and may well prove to be the Finest Known with No Cancel. This historic note was authorized to be issued just one day after the start of the Revolutionary War! It was subsequently only issued for two months, between April and May of 1775. This ornately engraved 20 South Carolina Currency "Promissory Note of Citizens" has a larger size format that measures about 4.5" x 6.25" and is of a unique style. It is an important paper money emission from the earliest start of American Revolutionary War Era which took place just one day prior, on April 19, 1775 at Lexington Green in Massachusetts, which started with "the Shot Heard Round the World". This issue is also the earliest of any paper currency of the Revolutionary War period emitted from the original Thirteen Colonies. This historic note is very clearly and boldly Signed, "Henry Middleton" in deep dark brown ink with his huge signature measuring nearly 3" long. Its PCGS certified holder notes apparent minor ink erosion, reflecting a small ink erosion at "20" of the date plus some others that are very trivial and scattered. There are no other detractions on the superbly engraved decorative reverse side. Its design is exceptionally ornate, showing a display of a Crowned Rose, Thistle flanking Fleur-de-lis, and a Harp, printed on fresh clean high quality period laid paper and has extremely pleasing eye appeal. The designs on both sides remain clear and sharp with the printed text fully readable. All four signatures and the date being written in bold rich brown ink including: "Th.(omas) Lynch," "M.(iles) Brewton," and "B.(enjamin) Huger".

The important signature of "Henry Middleton" is at top, above the others, and is very large being nearly 3" long. It represents the only affordable and "Collectable" example of Henry Middleton's signature that is rarely available to autograph collectors, as so stated and illustrated in Charles Hamilton's classic reference book on Autographs. This example is also significantly finer in quality to the Newman illustration note, (which has a dark manuscript cancel line drawn across Middleton's name). The last example we offered was a 50 note which also had a long dark manuscript ink cancel line running directly through his name "Henry Middleton" which sold our EAHA Auction of June 3, 2016, Lot 2112, stating "Manuscript Canceled" PCGS graded EF-40 which then sold for $4,800. A wonderful note and opportunity for anyone seeking to purchase the autographs of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence!