1776 $7 Continental Currency Note With Taft Family Provenance Links America’s Founding War to a Presidential Dynasty
A newly certified 1776 $7 Continental Currency note has entered the market with a story few pieces of paper money can match.
This note does more than represent Revolutionary War finance. It carries a documented family history that reaches back to Sergeant Frederick Taft, a soldier of the American Revolution. Even more, it stayed in the extended Taft family from 1776 until 2025. PCGS Banknote recently authenticated and certified the note, its handwritten envelope, and its 1843 letter. Together, the three pieces create a remarkable numismatic discovery.
The note now comes to collectors for the first time. Until now, the numismatic community did not know this story existed. Therefore, the discovery gives collectors a fresh link to the Revolution, early American paper money, and one of America’s most famous political families.
A Revolutionary War Note With a Family Story
The Continental Congress issued paper money to help pay for the war against Great Britain. At the time, Congress had limited options. It could print money or seek loans. It could not levy taxes, so it relied heavily on paper currency. That decision helped fund the war. However, it also helped create severe inflation.
The February 17, 1776 issue came at a critical moment. Congress authorized $4 million in Continental Currency payable in Spanish milled dollars on that date. The Newman Numismatic Portal notes that the bills of $1 and higher followed the same general style as the previous issue.
This specific $7 note belongs to that February 17, 1776 issue. The Smithsonian’s National Numismatic Collection records a $7 Continental Congress note with the date 1776-02-17. It also identifies the Continental Congress and Hall & Sellers as related makers, with Philadelphia as the place of manufacture.
That date matters. Congress issued the note before the Declaration of Independence. So, this artifact belongs to the tense months when rebellion moved toward nationhood.
Sergeant Frederick Taft and the 1776 Payment
According to the accompanying documentation, this $7 Continental Currency note went to Sergeant Frederick Taft as payment for his Revolutionary War service. He served in a local militia unit. Then, the note remained in the Taft family for nearly 250 years.
The 1843 envelope and letter provide the crucial paper trail. Royal Sibley Warren, Frederick Taft’s grandson, documented the note’s origin. He wrote that his grandfather, Frederick Taft of Uxbridge, Massachusetts, had served in the Revolution and had received the note for military service.
That detail gives this piece unusual power. Many Continental Currency notes survive. Yet few carry a named soldier, an 1843 family letter, and a continuous family chain back to the American Revolution.
The Taft Family Backstory
The Taft family adds another layer of importance.
The family’s American story traces back to Robert Taft Sr., born in 1640. He established a homestead in Mendon, Massachusetts, around 1680. That area later became closely tied to Uxbridge, Massachusetts. Over time, the family spread into New York, Maryland, Ohio, and other states.
The Tafts also contributed soldiers during the Revolutionary War, especially in New England. Frederick Taft came from that tradition. His father, Samuel Taft, served in the Continental Army. Samuel also owned a tavern in Uxbridge, Massachusetts. George Washington visited him in 1789 during his inaugural tour of New England.
Today, the Samuel Taft House stands as a recognized historic property. The National Park Service lists the Samuel Taft House in Uxbridge, with a significant year of 1774 and National Register status.
Royal Sibley Warren Preserved the Story
Royal Sibley Warren played the key role in preserving this note’s story.
Warren lived from 1822 to 1896. He worked as a physician and also pursued microscopy. A biographical source identifies him as Dr. R.S. Warren of Waltham, Massachusetts, and notes that he earned his M.D. from Harvard Medical College in 1846.
In 1843, Warren received the note from his grandfather, Frederick Taft. Then he wrote the letter that now supports the note’s provenance. Because of that letter, collectors can follow the artifact from a Revolutionary War soldier to his grandson, and then through the extended family to the modern market.
That paper trail gives this set its “wow” factor. The note does not simply survive. It explains itself.
A Presidential Connection
The Taft family later produced one of the most unusual careers in American public life.
William Howard Taft became the 27th President of the United States. Then he became the 10th Chief Justice of the United States. He remains the only person to hold both offices.
According to the documented genealogy surrounding this note, President Taft descended from Robert Taft Sr. He also had a distant family connection to both Frederick Taft and Royal Sibley Warren.
Therefore, this $7 Continental Currency note connects three powerful threads. It links Revolutionary War service, early American paper money, and the extended family of a president and chief justice.
Why This Discovery Matters
Collectors value Continental Currency for many reasons. These notes helped finance the American Revolution. They also reveal the financial struggle behind independence. Congress needed soldiers, supplies, food, and ammunition. Yet it lacked a strong revenue system. So, it issued paper promises backed by faith in a future nation.
This note captures that fragile moment.
It also carries a human story. A soldier received it. His family kept it. His grandson documented it. Then it survived long enough for PCGS Banknote to certify the note and its supporting documents.
That combination makes the set far more than a single piece of currency. It is a museum-quality artifact.
A Museum-Quality American Artifact
The survival of this 1776 $7 Continental Currency note seems extraordinary. Paper wears out. Family stories fade. Old envelopes disappear. Letters get separated from objects. However, this set stayed together.
As a result, the note now gives collectors a tangible connection to the birth of the United States. It belongs in a major collection of U.S. currency. It also belongs in a collection of Revolutionary War artifacts, Taft family material, or early American historical objects.
Most importantly, it reminds us that the Revolution did not survive on ideals alone. It also needed money, militia service, local sacrifice, and families who preserved the past.
This note carries all of that history in one small piece of paper.
**** Updated May 19, 2026 ****
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
What an interesting story and family history! Amazing that this has survived this long.