PAUL REVERE DUAL USE ENGRAVING PLATE

A Remarkable Dual Use Copper Engraving Plate

 

In the current issue of the C4 Newsletter, Roger Siboni contributes a fascinating article on a copper plate that hosted important engravings on both sides. The plate was initially used by Paul Revere to engrave one of the most iconic images of the Revolutionary era, The Bloody Massacre Perpetrated in King Street Boston on March 5th, 1770, by a Party of the 29th REGT. There is much more to this part of the story (including Revere's plagiarism) and we encourage everyone to read the full article.

Later, Revere used the other side of the plate to engrave the May 25, 1775 10, 12, and 18-shillings issues of Massachusetts paper money. Incredibly, this dual-sided printing plate survives in the Massachusetts Archives. Dual use printing plates from this era are not unknown, but to numismatic eggheads like us the association with a visceral Revolutionary War graphic is especially appealing.

 

While current issues of the C4 Newsletter are not available on Newman Portal, perhaps readers will take this opportunity to subscribe! In the meantime, issues published more than three years ago may be found on Newman Portal.

Link to Massachusetts May 25, 1775 currency issue in Early Paper Money of America:
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/imagecollection/514457

Link to C4 Newsletters on Newman Portal:
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/publisherdetail/510357

Link to Colonial Coin Collectors Club (C4) home page:
https://colonialcoins.org/

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