1862 US Civil War Encased Postage | Rare Stamps Turned Coins!

Описание: Join Southern California coin dealer John Plaia as he dives into the fascinating history of US Civil War encased postage from 1862. When the Civil War struck, civilians feared for their financial stability and began hoarding gold and silver coins. This led to a severe coin shortage, making daily transactions challenging for businesses that needed to give change. But one Massachusetts entrepreneur, John Gault, came up with a creative solution—encasing uncanceled US postage stamps in a protective button. These encased stamps served as a substitute for coins, even becoming valid for paying taxes!

Encased postage came in various denominations—1 cent, 3 cent, 5 cent, 10 cent, 12 cent, 24 cent, 30 cent, and 90 cent. Businesses used this new currency as an opportunity to advertise on the back, with notable brands like Ayer’s Sarsaparilla and Lord & Taylor taking part. On August 12, 1862, John Gault received a patent for his “Design for Encasing Government Stamps,” solidifying this unique form of currency’s place in history. Today, it's estimated that fewer than 5,000 encased postage pieces remain, making them a rare and intriguing collectible.

For those interested in learning more, John Plaia recommends The Standard Catalogue of Encased Postage and The Red Book Guide for United States Paper Money. Don’t miss this chance to explore a unique part of Civil War history and coin collecting with our experts at our Los Angeles coin shows! Click link for more information.

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