State of New York Comptroller's Office stock certificate 1868

Terrific vignette of  an early New York state seal. Smaller portraits of George Washington and an early NY official. Nice certificate measuring  8" x 11.5".  Unisssued and cancelled. Dated November 1868. Certificate 150.

Uncommon early New York issuance that was likely an investment like a bond since there is no share reference.

European discovery of New York was led by the French in 1524 and the first land claim came in 1609 by the Dutch. As part of New Netherland, the colony was important in the fur trade and eventually became an agricultural resource thanks to the patroon system. In 1626 the Dutch bought the island of Manhattan from Native Americans. In 1664, England renamed the colony New York, after the Duke of York (later James II & VII.) New York City gained prominence in the 18th century as a major trading port in the Thirteen Colonies. New York played a pivotal role during the American Revolution and subsequent war. The Stamp Act Congress in 1765 brought together representatives from across the Thirteen Colonies to form a unified response to British policies.