. >> who was allan sullivan? >> one of the most notorious counterfeiters and colonial america. he can to this country from ireland, an inventor servant, and the ends up in boston in 1749 as a silversmith. begins to counterfeit colonial massachusetts notes. over the next five or 6 yards he builds a hughes intercolonial network that's expands from ryland, new hampshire. >> how easy was it to counterfeit at that time? >> well, the printing quality of the bill is fairly primitive by our standards. it did require tremendous skills as an engraver. one of the things you see, most counterpressures are former silversmiths. it takes tremendous physical dexterity to engrave a copperplate and rivers. that is what is required. >> how much -- first of all, was there a national currency? or the 13 different types of currency? >> fifteen types. after the revolution it becomes even more confusing. private banks all across the country but in their own notes. hundreds and then later thousands. the peak is more than ten thousands. sickening all over the country. how did that system work? if somebo