Encased Postage Stamps
Small "AYER'S" 3 AYER'S SARSAPARILLA EP-34
EP-34, HB-29, S-15, Reed-AS03SM. Encased Postage Stamp, Three Cents, AYER'S SARSAPARILLA, Small "AYER'S" type with faint traces of Original Silvering, Choice About New.
Rated as Rarity-4 (31 to 40 known) according to Fred Reed. This desirable Small "AYER'S" variety is difficult to locate, specially in this high quality with some faint traces of original Silvering retained within the reverse legend letters. There were three examples sold in the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection sale and of those, none were graded higher than Choice Very Fine. This current example has a fresh red George Washington stamp that has nice eye appeal. It is well centered, seen through mica that is very clear and unbroken. The natural golden-chestnut case with its distinct sharp Small "AYER'S" legends shows virtually no signs of circulation with only light wear. A pleasing example of this rarer major type. This example is finer in quality than the Lilly example sold in the John Ford IV auction sale.
KEYWORDS:
Encased Postage Stamps, John Gault, Civil War Scarcity of Coins, Emergency Civil War Small Change, Civil War Currency