10 Cent Encased Postage Stamp, United States, 1862
date: label: date made
content: 1862
notes: label: Description
content: The encased postage stamp was used as a form of currency during the war. The idea stemmed from the fact that stamps had an inherent value, but if they were passed around without any sort of protection they became soiled and worthless, not to mention the adhesive backing caused problems after multiple transactions. John Gault solved this problem by using a brass disk and cardboard piece that served as a backing while a disk of clear mica lay on top of the stamp. A brass frame secured the components together, thus, allowing the stamp to be viewed and protected. This encased postage stamp depicts George Washington and is worth ten-cents. The back bore the encasement patent date, “AUG 12, 1862,” and “J. GAULT.”
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: United States
setName: label: See more items in
content: Work and Industry: National Numismatic Collection
label: See more items in
content: Civil War
label: See more items in
content: Coins, Currency and Medals
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 2001.0009.0696
label: accession number
content: 2001.0009
label: catalog number
content: 2001.0009.0696
objectType: label: Object Name
content: encased postage stamp
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: metal, mica (case material)
label: Physical Description
content: paper (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: .15 cm x 2.45 cm; 1/16 in x 31/32 in