Join historian Dr. Don Slater for an engaging discussion on the symbolism and imagery featured on Continental currency. This fascinating presentation highlights specific items currently on display in the Revolutionary War exhibit.
Paul Revere and the Social Memory of the Pine Tree Shilling in Colonial Massachusetts
During the 17th and 18th century, colonists mistrusted paper money as an economic vehicle and instead preferred specie coinage for commerce. Due to recurrent shortages of coinage in the colonies, and the need for colonial governments to fund certain activities, the issuance and usage of paper money was often a necessity.
Paul Revere would have been well aware of the delicate economic situation at the start of the Revolutionary War and colonists’ mistrust of paper currency. Dr. Slater presents that, as Revere was the primary engraver and printer of Massachusetts paper currency from 1775-1779, he intentionally leveraged historically powerful pine tree visual imagery to help boost the economic legitimacy of paper currency amongst the populace.
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