Category: Patent Medicines
Estimated Date: 1862
Name: Encased Postage Stamp: Take Ayers Pills
Manufacturer: John Gault

Description: Encased postage stamp, three cent, reverse take Ayers pills. Stamp encased in a metal frame behind a shield of transparent mica. Used as small change during the civil war. The encased stamp was invented by John Gault . The stamp was protected by the metal on one side and a layer of mica on the other. By encasing the stamp he prevented the wear and tear that a free stamp would be subjected to. These tokens were used as legal currency for the face value of the stamp.