One (1) 50 dollar note
United States, 1875
Obverse Image: At left, George Washington crossing the Delaware river. At right, Washington at prayer with allegorical figures above.
Obverse Text: NATIONAL CURRENCY / THIS NOTE IS SECURED BY BONDS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPOSITED WITH THE U.S. TREASURER AT WASHINGTON. / THE NATIONAL GRANITE STATE BANK OF EXETER WILL PAY THE BEARER ON DEMAND 50 DOLLARS / REGISTER OF THE TREASURY / TREASURER OF THE UNITED STATES / PRINTED ST THE BUREAU ENGRAVING & PRINTING TREASURY DEPT / 1147 / SERIES 1875 / 76 / A59097
Reverse Image: The embarkation of the pilgrims.
Reverse Text: 50 / L / NATIONAL CURRENCY / EMBARKATION OF THE PILGRIMS / US / THIS NOTE IS RECEIVABLE AT PAR IN ALL PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES, IN PAYMENT OF ALL TAXES AS EXCISES AND ALL OTHER DUES TO THE UNITED STATES EXCEPT DUTIES ON IMPORTS, AND ALSO FOR ALL SALARIES AND OTHER DEBTS AND DEMANDS OWING BY THE UNITED STATES TO INDIVIDUALS, CORPORATIONS & AS-SOCIATIONS WITHIN THE UNITED STATES, EXCEPT INTEREST ON PUBLIC DEBT / COUNTERFEITING OR ALTERING THIS NOTE, OR PASSING ANY COUNTER-FEIT OR ALTERATION OF IT, OR HAVING IN POSSESSION ANY FALSE OR COUNTERFEIT PLATE OR IMPRESSION OF IT, OR ANY PAPER MADE IN IMI-TATION OF THE PAPER ON WHICH IT IS PRINTED, IS FELONY, AND IS PUN-ISHABLE BY $1,000 FINE OR 15 YEARS IMPRISONMENT AT HARD LABOR OR BOTH.
In 1863 the U.S. issued its first national notes and decided to feature historically themed paintings from the Capitol Rotunda on the reverse. The paintings were shrunk from their original size of twelve by eight feet to a mere four-and-a-half by two-and-a-half inches, but maintained the detail and quality of the paintings. This decision converted national treasures into national currency.
Robert Weir completed Embarkation of the Pilgrims in 1843. The painting depicts the Pilgrims departing Holland in 1620 in search of religious freedom in America. The painting conveys the solemnity of the travelers at the beginning of their journey. Weir’s painting is replicated on the reverse of the first fifty dollar national note.
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