Fr 424-439 Pocahontas Note

Even if you don’t have a seven-year-old grand daughter who adores stories of princesses, especially Disney’s Pocahontas,” and likes to dress the part, the Fr. 424-439 Pocahontas Note (such as the Fr. 435 shown) is bound to be one of the favorites in your collection if you are fortunate enough to own one. It’s rich in history, colorful in appearance, and a wonderful collector value within the budget of many hobbyists.

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Background
The girl shown at center on its back was a real Native American “princess,” Matoaka, a.k.a. Pocahontas (1595-March 21, 1617), which means something like “energetic child.” She was a daughter of an Algonquin chief, Powhatan.

The girl was a heroine widely credited by early English colonists in coastal Virginia with helping them survive their first years in the New World. Further, her image as an "Indian Princess" who saved Captain John Smith from death has captivated the imaginations of many generations of Americans, including this author’s grand daughter Grace and the folks at Disney Imagineering.

Pocahontas eventually married John Rolfe, was baptized as Rebecka Rolfe, had a son Thomas, and sadly died in England at the age of 21. She is shown on the Pocahontas note being baptized into the Christian faith. This much is known.

Revisionist historians have pummeled the myths, but the persistence of their allure continues. Witness recent major motion pictures like the Disney animated feature “Pocahontas,” and director Terrence Malick’s drama “The New World,” both of which draw on the legendary romance of the Native American girl and the European soldier.

Only one image of Pocahontas was created during her lifetime, a 1616 engraving at age 21. It shows her atypically dressed in formal English costume and tall hat by Simon van de Passe. Other images such as the one on the Pocahontas note reflect the persona of Pocahontas rather than an actual representation.

History
On Feb. 28, 1837, John G. Chapman was chosen to paint “The Baptism of Pocahontas” for the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. On Nov. 30, 1840, Congress purchased the 12’ x 18’ canvas for $10,000. Chapman’s oil painting was engraved by Charles Burt for American Bank Note Company and used on backs of First Charter $20 National Bank Notes, first issued in 1863.

A government pamphlet issued at the time the painting was purchased by the federal government was written by Chapman and published by Peter Force. In it, the artist describes his view of the scene.

Pocahontas in white is baptized Rebecka by Anglican minister Alexander Whiteaker at Jamestown, Virginia c. 1613-1614. She kneels surrounded by family members, including her father, Chief Powhatan, and colonists. Her brother Nantequaus turns away from the ceremony in disdain. The baptism occurred prior to her marriage to John Rolfe, who stands behind her.

Charles Burt’s engraving is faithful to Chapman’s painting, including the women portrayed in addition to Pocahontas. The Indian maiden seated with child in the foreground is Pocahontas’ older sister. Pocahontas had more than a hundred sisters and brothers. Unfortunately this woman’s name has been lost to history.

Prominently seated in the first row pew at center are Mistress Forrest and child. Mistress Forrest was the first woman settler from England in Fall 1608. At upper left behind the minister are Anne (Burras) Laydon and her husband John. Anne had arrived as the personal maid of Mistress Forrest. At least three other unidentified woman are depicted: one in the gallery between the pillars and two standing behind Rolfe.

Collecting
First Charter $20 Nationals with the back engraving of the “Baptism of Pocahontas” were issued in both Original Series and Series of 1875 types (Fr. 424-439) in 13 varieties of signature and seal combinations. Approximately 12.4 million notes were issued. Approximately 600-800 are believed to still exist.

Prices range from low four figures for well circulated examples to low five figures for most varieties, to six figures for notes from the two banks in Nevada that issued these notes. Fr. nos. 428, 436 and 439 are believed unique or virtually so.

Pocahontas also appears in a secondary vignette on U.S. Currency. In 1616, Pocahontas, Rolfe and their son sailed to England where she was shown off by the Virginia Company to prop up their claims of their success in the New World. Pocahontas was offered as evidence.

Pocahontas was feted by English society and on January 5, 1617, she was brought before King James at Whitehall Palace during a performance of Ben Johnson's drama “The Vision of Delight.” She was received as a princess by the King and Queen of England.

A representation of Pocahontas’s appearance at Court is shown on U.S. federal paper money. An engraving of her being presented to King James I, the patron of Jamestown, appears on the face of Series 1869-1880 $10 Legal Tender notes (Fr. 96-113), commonly better known as “Jackass” notes.

Six figures are shown in this currency vignette, attributed to a painting by Theodore Auguste Liebler (1830-1890). The scene was engraved by W.W. Rice. Pocahontas and Rolfe are shown with the King, two advisors, and James’ wife and queen consort Anne of Denmark, described as “cultured and extravagant.”

Also shown on the face of this note is a portrait of Daniel Webster engraved by Alfred Sealey. Webster, from Massachusetts, was a U.S. Congressman and longtime U.S. Senator (1827-1841 and 1845-1850). He also served twice as U.S. Secretary of State. Webster also appears as an historical character in Stephen Vincent Benet’s short story “The Devil and Daniel Webster,” as attorney for a farmer Jabez Stone, who down on his luck, has sold his soul to the Devil.

The note’s common nickname “Jackass Note” derives from the small eagle at bottom center of the note’s face, engraved by Henry Gugler. When turned upside down, it is said to resemble the head of a jackass.

Examples of the $10 Legal Tender notes depicting the “Presentation of Pocahontas” (Fr. 96-113) are much more plentiful and considerably cheaper for the most part. The best current census of these notes has about 1,500 entries. However, some experts estimate that as many as 3,000-5,000 examples still exist from the 45 million that were originally issued. A Very Good example of many of the varieties is worth a couple hundred dollars. Choice Unc. examples are in the $2,500-$3,500 range for the most part.