Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;doug444, post: 1599985, member: 38849&quot;]I trust everybody knows that trimes were originally minted to facilitate the purchase of 3-cent stamps during the persistent penny shortage of the 1850s.&nbsp; The year 1851 saw the first minting of this denomination, as well as a reduction in postal rates from 5c and 10c (depending on distance) to a flat 3 cents (Act of March 3, 1851).</p><p><br /></p><p>The theory that $3 gold pieces were minted (starting in 1854) to facilitate the purchase of entire sheets of one hundred 3-cent stamps is much more controversial, although no plausible alternative explanation has been offered, especially since we had plenty of $2.50 and $5.00 gold coins available at the time.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in