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| U.S. Large Size Silver Certificates |
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| $10 Silver Certificate, Series of 1880 |
1880 Ten Dollar Silver Certificate Robert Morris
The Series 1880 Ten Dollar Silver Certificate “Robert Morris” was ranked 63st most beautiful note in the book 100 Greatest American Currency Notes compiled by Bowers and Sundman.
Obverse: Bust of Robert Morris, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and Superintendent of Finance, 1781-1784.
Reverse: The backs of 1880 ten dollar silver certificates have a very unique look, unlike any other federally issued note, was printed in black ink and featured the word SILVER in large block letters.
Signatures: (as depicted) Blanche Kelso Bruce, Register of the Treasury and James Gilfillan, Treasurer of the United States – large brown with X.Inscriptions: Series of 1880 - Certificate of Deposit - Act of February 28th 1878 - Engraved & Printed at the Bureau of Engraving & Printing - Register Of The Treasury - Treasurer Of The United States - Assistant Treasurer U.S. - This Certifies That There Have Been Deposited With The (Assistant) Treasurer Of U.S. At Payable At His Office To The Bearer On Demand Ten Silver Dollars - United States Silver Certificate - Amer Septent Sigil Thesaur - This Certificate Is Receivable For Customs, Taxes and All Public Dues, And When So Received May Be Reissued
Robert Morris, Jr. (January 20, 1734 – May 8, 1806) was a Liverpool-born American merchant who financed the American Revolution and was signatory to the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution. He was elected to the Pennsylvania Assembly, became the Chairman of the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety, and was chosen as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress, where he served as chairman of the "Secret Committee of Trade" and as a member of the Committee of Correspondence.
From 1781 to 1784, he served as the powerful Superintendent of Finance, managing the economy of the fledgling United States. As the central civilian in the government, Morris was, next to General George Washington, "the most powerful man in America." His successful administration led to the sobriquet, "Financier of the Revolution." At the same time he was Agent of Marine, a position he took without pay, and from which he controlled the Continental Navy.
He was one of Pennsylvania's original pair of US senators, serving from 1789 to 1795. He invested a considerable portion of his fortune in land shortly before the Panic of 1796–1797, which led to his bankruptcy in 1798, and he spent several months in debtors' prison, until Congress passed a bankruptcy act to release him. After he left prison in 1801, he lived a quiet, private life in a modest home in Philadelphia until his death in 1806.
United States 10 Dollar Bills
United States 10 Dollar Bill, Silver Certificate Robert Morris, Series 1880
10 Dollar Bill : United States Military Payment Certificates US MPC
James Gilfillan, 13th Treasurer of the United States
James Gilfillan (April 25, 1836 – April 8, 1929) was the 13th Treasurer of the United States.
Gilfillan was a native of Belchertown, Massachusetts, born there to Scottish parents. In 1856 he graduated from Williams College, where he was a classmate of future President James A. Garfield.
After graduation, he worked as a country editor of a weekly newspaper, reading law with the goal of entering the bar at the same time. He abandoned both professions, instead taking a clerkship at the Treasury Department in 1861, at an annual salary of $1,200. He remained a clerk until President Ulysses S. Grant made him cashier of the United States under Treasurer John C. New.
Gilfillan, rising steadily through the ranks, was appointed Treasurer by President Rutherford B. Hayes, and he served from July 1, 1877 to March 31, 1883. During this period he was also Sinking Fund Commissioner for the District of Columbia; he was not paid for his service on the board until a bill of Senator George P. McLean of Connecticut passed Congress, awarding him $4,750.
As Treasurer, Gilfillan acquired a reputation for integrity in his dealings, launching anti-corruption investigations, avoiding politics, and attending to his business.
In his later years, Gilfillan lived in Colchester, Connecticut. In November 1928, he was one of only five persons over the age of 90 to vote in the town. He died at his home there, aged 92, and his funeral took place two days later. He was survived by four daughters.