Lot 109
Commissariat notes were tradeable throughout the British Empire as currency
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Exhibited:
- Paper Money, Australia & New Zealand Literature:
- Coins, Monies & Stamps Medium:
- 396 Circa:
- Collectibles Notes:
- This 'Second of Exchange' was a second copy of a tri-part invoice for payment on 'Account of Public Service' that was redeemable at 'His Majesty's Treasury, London.' Because of the possibility that a ship could be lost, it was the normal practice for the 'First of Exchange' (the first copy) and the 'Second of Exchange' (the second copy) of a transaction to be sent separately to London on different vessels, with only the first to arrive being honoured. The 'Third of Exchange' (third copy) kept as a receipt of the transaction. The Cape of Good Hope was a port of call for ships replenishing stores enroute to the colonies and this exchange offers clear evidence that the notes were traded to and fro between Crown colonies before they were eventually redeemed in London. It would appear that the funds were to be eventually drawn from the account of (Robert) Espie who was employed as Surgeon-Superintendent on eight convict ships that travelled to Australia, or his bother George with whom he had land interests in Van Diemen's Land, and was possibly for goods purchased from Rutherford and Brother (traders?) in Cape Town. However, on the back of this exchange the notations show that it was first signed over to Alexander Turner who in turn made it payable to Mathew Forster before it eventually found its way to Van Diemen's Land. The Espies' affairs in England were looked after by J F Groom of Alchurch Lane, London and whether he took receipt and paid out on the 'First of Exchange' remains unknown. This exchange is a rare example of the mechanisms of international trade in the British Empire.
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| A$0 | A$249 | A$5 |
| A$250 | A$999 | A$10 |
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