1862 Civil War Emergency Small Change Encased Postage Stamp, EP-98a, HB-36, Scott-17, Reed-AS10MD, Ten Cents, AYER'S SARSAPARILLA, Medium “AYER’S” variety, Choice Extremely Fine.
Rated as Rarity-6 (16-20 known) according to Fred Reed. This well centered example’s U.S. 1861 George Washington stamp is deep bold green in appearance, seen under unbroken mica with only a couple of trivial natural edge lamination crazes. The case is medium-chestnut in color being defect-free. The reverse legends are sharp and clear. Overall, an attractive example of this scarce ten cents denomination with only about 16 to 20 examples believed known. (EF Friedberg Cat. $1,000)

[Civil War, 19th Century America, American Numismatics] [Encased Postage, George Washington, Merchant Tokens] [Currency, Postage Stamps, Numismatics, Exonumia]