This diminutive coin, composed of 75% silver and 25% copper, represented an early attempt to facilitate commerce in a growing nation. Its face value made purchasing postage stamps easier during a period when postal rates were a key economic factor. A small denomination silver coin, it circulated briefly in the mid-19th century.
Its creation was influenced by factors such as the rising cost of silver and the need for a convenient way to buy stamps. While not a long-lived denomination, it holds a significant place in numismatic history, embodying economic conditions and technological advancements in minting processes of its time. Collectors value it as a tangible link to the past.
