How much did the Liberty Bell cost?
The Liberty Bell was ordered for purchase by the colony government, the Pennsylvania Assembly, in 1751 to be hung in the new constructed State House (Independence Hall). The Assembly requested their London agent, Robert Charles, to purchase a bell of approximately “two thousand pounds weight”. Charles commissioned the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London to cast the bell. Robert Charles bill to the Province of Pennsylvania states as follows: “1752 May To cash for the cost of a Bell with frt (freight) & Insurance £150.13.8 (150 pounds, 13 shillings and 8 pence.)” Pass and Stow’s bill for the recasting states as follows: “1753 June For Recasting the State house bell wt 2044 lbs at 4 pence Sterling pr. lb. £34.1.4; For 37 lb additional wt at 14 pence per lb. Sterling £2.3.2.” Pass and Stow’s bill for the recasting of the Liberty Bell totaled £36.4.6 That’s about $225 US dollars!
