[1][2] The coins, which were designed by Benjamin Franklin, were minted in 1776 and examples were made on pewter, brass, and silver planchets.

[1] The reverse features 13 chain links representing a plea for the Thirteen Colonies to remain united.

The article cited the fact that there is no contemporary record of the pieces having been commissioned by the Continental Congress or anywhere in the colonies until long after the revolution.

[3] Historians surmise that much of the original mintage was melted due to wartime demand for the alloy.

[3] Another variety, known as the "Ornamented Date", was also made with a misspelled "CURRENCY", this time as "CURRENCEY".