Encased Postage

Postage stamps encased in a brassy-metal housing were invented by A.M. Gault in 1861 to alleviate a severe shortage of coinage. They were issued only in 1861 by a handful of private businesses. A piece of mica (clear plastic) was used to protect the stamp in its frame. A small number of these fascinating paper money-token crossover items survive today and very few in top quality condition. This is a collectible worthy of greater attention as values have not been well defined for items of superior condition.