A depreciated currency. See quotations.
1762. On March 11th, 1762. A genarel free Voot past amongst the inhabents that every fall of the year when Mr. Revd. John Tucke has his wood to Carry home evary men will not com that is abel to com shall pay forty shillings ould tenor.—Records of the Town of Star: Celia Thaxter, ‘Among the Isles of Shoals,’ pp. 56–7 (1873).
1768. Silver was then 15s. per ounce, whereas it is now six and eight pence, or 50s. old tenor.—Boston-Gazette, June 6.
1768. John Spooner advertises “Shot, £.10 Old Tenor per Hundred. Wool Cards, £.10 O.T. per Dozen. German Steel at 6s. 6d. O.T. per Pound.”—Boston Post-Boy, June 20.
1769. [The deficiency] amounts to about £.4000 Old Tenor a year.—Boston-Gazette, Nov. 13.
1769. The above Tea was sold 9d. O.T. per Pound under the common Price.—Id., Sept. 18.
1769. Good Cyder at £.3 O.T. a Barrel.—Id., Sept. 18.
1770. [He bought the fowls] for six and sixpence old tenor apiece.—Id., Feb. 5.
1770. [He brings an Action] for near forty thousand pounds old tenor damage.—Id., Aug. 27.
1772. Stolen, between Five and Six Pounds old Tenor in Coppers.—Id., Jan. 27.
1772. Onions at Ten Shillings Old Tenor per Bushell.—Id., May 4.
1774. He might buy the tail of their flock at £.9 O.T. per head….. I put down for the deficient sheep and mare £.900 O.T.—Newport Mercury, May 30.
1805. Old Tenor—an antique currency—2l. 5s. equal to a dollar.—The Balance, May 14, p. 160/1.
