Back in 1995, the mint issued some of the Civil War commemorative coin sets in a modern version of the "Union case." The top and bottom of the box featured a reprodution of a New Orleans Mint $10 gold piece. In case you are courious, here's what the plasic disk looks like on the reverse. This one fell out one day, and before I glued it back together, I took this picture. My question was, did cases like this exist back in the mid 19th century, and if they do, are they available. The answer is yes, and here is one. I found it in a Stacks' Auction years ago. These cases were used to protect tin type and ambrotypes. Here is an example with a photo of a Union officer. If I could figure out his name, it would be far more valuable. Cover: Inside:
It reminds me of Joshua Chamberlain....sort of....as a very young officer. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Chamberlain ~ Chris
A fellow told me this officer was from Massachusetts. I don't know if that is accurate. Chamberlin was from Maine.
My wife is actually a descendant of his...of course, my family came from poor Confederate Soldiers. Perhaps that's why I'm always wrong at home.
While I have the Civil War Times complete magazine run in book form, including three volumes on every Confederate officer, there apparently were none on Union officers. However, mentioning Massachusetts and making a guess, I'd say Robert Shaw of the 54th. As to the 1995 gold case, I've been searching for one almost as long as the mint issued them.
