By Mike Byers…
This unique and historic $7 Continental Currency Note, issued on February 17, 1776, is being offered for sale for the first time. It comes with a handwritten envelope and letter documenting its pedigree back to the American Revolution, a history that remained unknown to the numismatic community until now.
The note and accompanying documents were recently authenticated and certified by PCGS. This exceptional set tells a story spanning over 250 years within the extended Taft Family—a genealogy tree dating back to 1640, which includes President William Howard Taft.
A Direct Link to the Revolution
The $7 Continental Currency notes were printed by the Continental Congress to finance the war against Great Britain, as they lacked the power to levy taxes. Issued as part of the second series of currency, these notes were a vital, albeit ultimately unstable, resource for the war effort.
This specific note was given to Sergeant Frederick Taft as payment for his service in a local militia unit during the Revolutionary War. It remained in the Taft family from 1776 until 2025. The handwritten letter and envelope, dated 1843, provide an invaluable document trail, confirming the note’s origin and continuous pedigree.
The Distinguished Taft Family History
The fascinating history of this set follows the esteemed Taft family. The first American ancestor, Robert Taft Sr., began a homestead in Mendon, Massachusetts, circa 1680. Over the generations, the family was prominently represented as soldiers in the Revolutionary War, mostly in the New England states.
Frederick Taft was the son of Samuel Taft (1735-1816), a Continental Army veteran and proprietor of a tavern in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, which President George Washington visited in 1789 on his inaugural tour.
The note’s history was documented in 1843 by Frederick Taft’s grandson, Royal Sibley Warren (1822-1896), a physician, who received it from his grandfather.
The family continued to make history, producing notable figures such as a U.S. Senator and Secretary of Agriculture, culminating with William Howard Taft, the 27th President and tenth Chief Justice of the United States, who was a distant cousin of both Frederick Taft and R.S. Warren.
A Museum-Quality Artifact
It is truly remarkable that this $7 Continental Currency Note survived in the extended Taft family for over 250 years.
This unique numismatic discovery represents a tangible connection to the birth of the United States and the family that helped shape it. It belongs in a museum, a high-end collection of U.S. Currency, a collection of American Revolution antiques, or among the rarest artifacts of our nation’s history.
All I can say is WOW! What an incredible find! It should be on display somewhere that it can be viewed by the general public (maybe the Smithsonian?) It is such a wonderful piece of history that most people will never get to see. It is one of those rare pieces, I think akin to the Declaration of Independence, that would be so amazing to see in person! I hope it does end up in an appropriate place!
Such a fascinating history and a neat pair of documents. It’s funny, it looks like a tiny footprint on the handwritten document in the bottom right corner
Wow, what a great piece of history.
What a wonderful piece of history!
Wow, what a cool piece of history!
Amazing to have that chain of provenance for something as simple as a bill. A truly unique specimen!
Amazing to have that chain of provenance for something as simple as a bill. A truly unique specimen!
Wow! What a cool piece of history!
A great pice of history!
A fantastic piece of American history. It’s amazing that it has survived. So happy that the family save this precious piece of history and had the foresight to have it preserved.
Wonderful find, for that family, and agreed should be donated to
Our National Museum, Smithsonian for preservation, if that’s the
Owner/family position, desires to do not auction off too anyone?
I love when a piece of history has such a strong tie
great story and well written
Such a nice piece.
Heck yeah!
Absolutely Amazing!
I love the history associated with this
very interesting for sure
Wow very interesting and a great piece of our country’s history!
How fortunate it was for the family that he found and documented this. An amazing time to their past.
I love the idea that Taft never redeemed the note.
Very interesting
great provenance!!!! special history!!!
You should post a follow-up with what it sold for (if publicly available).
I love the idea that Taft never redeemed the note.
What an incredible piece of American history!
That’s pretty cool. Probably lots of “old papers” were just tossed in the day. Nice foresight (or pure luck/chance) by the Tafts.
I love reading about genelogy.
I can only with to find something like that. That is an incredible find!!! All I have found in my very old home is an old newspaper, between the walls of a hidden sliding door. The newpaper is from Norway and is dated “1889”.
This is an incredible piece of United States history! Imagine if the note were to go up for auction next year, during the USA’s 250th birthday.
Wish I had one of those in my family.
interesting
This is a truly remarkable piece of history!!
What a interesting piece of history! For 250 years this collection stayed within the Taft family.
Great find! Didn’t know President Taft had that kind of lineage.
WOW !!!! What a great piece of history, I think it should be in a museum.
I am so glad it was shared here! I enjoyed reading about this.
This price belongs in A museum in Washington DC
Very nice discovery!
Such history in our hobby. To hold bits of history in your hand, see it first hand, almost becoming part of it if you pass that knowledge along, keeping it alive, what an honor. Imagine what these graders have seen pass under their lights…Yes, I’m a nerd, but that’s okay. Make fun if you want, I’ll learn from the past to make a better future.
Internet article.
No matter the century, grandsons will always be rummaging through their grandfather’s stuff! (and maybe nabbing any loose cash they find)
Awesome piece of history.
I say bring back the $7 note, its such a needed denomination
Are there any other known 7$ notes still in existance?
Thank you for sharing!
Truly amazing
I love seeing articles like this to learn more about history
I always injoy coins and currency that have great history like this note.
What a remarkable artifact! It is just amazing that such items still come up for sale from time to time
That’s alot of history that I didn’t know is there a site with all of this new knowledge of old money and how it came to be.
Now THIS is what I enjoy most about U.S. history. Items with direct links to our history, tangible or viewing.
What a great piece of American history! I am so excited to see the pedigree of this note and that it was brought to the attention of the public in general. Wow!
Great story and a great piece of our history.
Wow! This is an amazing piece of history. Thanks for the article.
What a find!
I truly enjoy the history I learn from collecting coins.
I love old currency.
Great article about a proven item.
Amazing. A museum piece
Such a unique piece of history.
Great piece of history!
President Taft has a distinguished early career as governor of the Philippines, when US adminstered.
I LOVE Revolutionary era coins and paper money. Hope to start collecting some soon. Talk about a momento from the birth of our nation!
What a great piece of history. Why would the Tafts sell something that links them to their
own ancestors?
Always enjoy these articles. Quite a family!
What an amazing story and item !
If there was a price to be put on the 7$ continental currency what would it be worth i have 7 or 8 pieces around that year
Value depends on the rarity and condition of the note, along with any signatures of known people.
I suggest contacting Stacksbowers Auctions and sending a high-res photo. If it is valuable, they can get it certified for you and put it in one of their currency auctions to get the best price
Good luck
Scott Purvis – CoinWeek