Continental Currency September 26th, 1778 $40 Fr-CC84 Printed By Hall & Sellers Grades xf+. The $40 denomination made its first appearance in 1778 as the combination of inflation and depreciation began to take effect. This note first passed at about 22% of its stated specie value. The all seeing eye of Providence overlooks thirteen stars representing the thirteen colonies in an emblem designed by Francis Hopkinson. The motto CONFEDERATION was employed to convey unity. Hall & Sellers was a Philadelphia printing company originally established by Benjamin Franklin. In 1743 Franklin hired David Hall (1714-77), a Scottish journeyman printer, and in 1748 made the latter a partner. The firm printed Pennsylvania Gazette, Franklin's newspaper. In 1766 Franklin sold his share in the business to Hall, and later that same year Hall brought in the journeyman printer William Sellers as his new partner, establishing Hall & Sellers. The firm carried government contracts, including printing paper money.