3617770 Continental Loan Office Certificate number 4863 signed by Treasurer Francis Hopkinson, 26 March 1781 (engraved in green & black ink, with watermark & small oval cancellation catching signature) by American School, (18th century); 13x25.4 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: A rare Continental Loan Certificate guaranteeing payment to John Staats, or bearer, the amount of 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 certificates are rated as highly rare. Francis Hopkinson (1737-1791), signer of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.); Photo by Christie\'s Images.