15703

H. Smith Postage Envelope Used early in the Civil

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:750.00 - 1,125.00 USD
H. Smith Postage Envelope Used early in the Civil
<B> H. Smith Postage Envelope</B></I> Used early in the Civil War during the first days of the severe coin shortage, these merchant envelopes were true emergency money and an important part of the transition period from commercial chaos to Postage Currency. They were used to contain and preserve postage stamps that totalled the value stated on the face. They circulated along with encased postage and loose stamps. This example is a 25 cent denomination blue envelope. The glue has come loose, allowing the envelope to unfold but it is fully intact and in essentially perfect condition. In all our years in the business, we've seen fewer than 75 of these envelopes in all conditions, denominations and varieties. This example is the only one in the O'Mara Collection.