In 1690, The Massachusetts Bay Colony issued the first paper money in the colonies, called Colonial Notes, which would later form the United States.

Reverse of a Massachusetts Treasury Note

In 1690, The Massachusetts Bay Colony issued the first paper money in the colonies, called Colonial…

"Reverse of a Massachusetts Treasury note. This is a fac simile of the device on the back of one of the first of the Massachusetts treasury notes or bills of credit. The literal translation of the Latin inscription is 'He seeks by the sword calm repose under the auspices of Freedom.' In othe words, to use a phrase of the present time, they were determined 'to conquer a peace.' The face of the bill has a neatly-engraved border of scroll-work; and on the left of the brace where the names of the committee are signed, is a circle with a ship within it."—Lossing, 1851

Treasury Note

"Reverse of a Massachusetts Treasury note. This is a fac simile of the device on the back of one of…