![[CONTINENTAL LOAN OFFICE CERTIFICATE]. HOPKINSON, Francis (1737-1791), Signer, Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution. Printed document signed ("Francis Hopkinson"), as Treasurer of the Continental Loan Office, 26 March 1781. A LOAN CERTIFICATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, number 4863. 1 page, oblong (10 x 5 1/8 in.), elaborately engraved in green and black ink, decorative designs along edges, paper with Continental Loan Office watermark, a small oval cancellation catching signature.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2005/NYR/2005_NYR_01630_1022_000(102125).jpg?w=1)
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[CONTINENTAL LOAN OFFICE CERTIFICATE]. HOPKINSON, Francis (1737-1791), Signer, Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution. Printed document signed ("Francis Hopkinson"), as Treasurer of the Continental Loan Office, 26 March 1781. A LOAN CERTIFICATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, number 4863. 1 page, oblong (10 x 5 1/8 in.), elaborately engraved in green and black ink, decorative designs along edges, paper with Continental Loan Office watermark, a small oval cancellation catching signature.
A RARE CONTINENTAL LOAN CERTIFICATE guaranteeing payment to John Staats, or bearer, the amount of $400 plus 6 annual interest, from 26 March 1784, countersigned by Thomas Smith. The verso carries a certification: "Treasury Department, Register's Office June 29th 1818. This certificate is genuine, agreeing with the records in this office of outstanding Certificates." One of an important series of notes issued by the Congress during the Revolutionary War. The payments were to be made through bills of exchange drawn against the U. S. line of credit with the French government. The year of this issue, 1779, marked the start of a sharp inflation that continued into the postwar period and caused many holders to sell their notes at greatly depressed prices. These notes appear in various denominations of varying relative rarity. The $400 certificates are rated as HIGHLY RARE. Anderson (The Price of Liberty, p. 84) notes only 13-20 examples of high serial numbered certificates of this type. Anderson US43 (R6).
A RARE CONTINENTAL LOAN CERTIFICATE guaranteeing payment to John Staats, or bearer, the amount of $400 plus 6 annual interest, from 26 March 1784, countersigned by Thomas Smith. The verso carries a certification: "Treasury Department, Register's Office June 29th 1818. This certificate is genuine, agreeing with the records in this office of outstanding Certificates." One of an important series of notes issued by the Congress during the Revolutionary War. The payments were to be made through bills of exchange drawn against the U. S. line of credit with the French government. The year of this issue, 1779, marked the start of a sharp inflation that continued into the postwar period and caused many holders to sell their notes at greatly depressed prices. These notes appear in various denominations of varying relative rarity. The $400 certificates are rated as HIGHLY RARE. Anderson (The Price of Liberty, p. 84) notes only 13-20 examples of high serial numbered certificates of this type. Anderson US43 (R6).