Claflin, A.M., Hopkinton, R.I. 3-Cent Encased Postage Stamps

The Greysheet Catalog (GSID) of the 3-Cent Encased Postage Stamps series of Encased Postage in the U.S. Currency contains 1 distinct entries with CPG^® values between $15,750.00 and $21,000.00.

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.