Weir & Larminie, Bankers and Specie Brokers, Montreal, Canada, 10c Green (EP177). Stamp with deep rich color, centered with "U.S. Postage" and value tablet clearly visible, mica intact with some lamination at top and tiny flaw at bottom, case in a rich olive brown shade

EXTREMELY FINE. A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT WEIR & LARMINIE ENCASED POSTAGE. ONLY 20-30 ARE KNOWN.

The firm of Weir & Larminie was a private banking and specie broker in Montreal, Canada. William Weir, a Scottish immigrant, is a prominent figure in Canadian financial history. During the Civil War, Weir was the government official in charge of the U.S. silver coins brought into Canada to take advantage of the difference in the two country's specie exchange rates. According to numismatic historians, Weir's junior partner, G. H. Larminie, ordered the encased stamps during a trip to New York City. Since there was no need for coin substitutes in Canada, which was awash in silver U.S. coins, the order was apparently intended for promotional purposes. Surviving examples are extremely rare. Years after the war, Weir was involved in a banking scandal that resulted in his conviction.

With clear 2008 P.F. certificate

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