Texas, Fort Quitman. 1871 Moore and Sweet, Post Trader. Bowers TX-250. Gilt brass. 38 mm. Extremely

Texas, Fort Quitman. 1871 Moore and Sweet, Post Trader. Bowers TX-250. Gilt brass. 38 mm. Extremely Fine.，Obverse: MOORE AND SWEET / 1871. Reverse: FORT QUITMAN / 1 / DOLLAR / IN MDSE. A few minor irregularities and waviness in the surfaces, but the patina is even and the piece is attractive overall. One large ridge left of the denomination must be as made, as there is no damage to the other side to explain it. Nearly all the gilding is lost, save for tiny traces close to the rim. The surfaces have taken on a pleasing and glossy light brown patina. From a rare state for shell cards, as only six Texas issuers have been identified. The post trader cards from Fort Quitman come in five denominations, this highest one being considered unique at present. It is the Bowers plate.<p>Fort Quitman was established in west Texas in 1858 and occupied until the outbreak of the Civil War when Texas aligned with the Confederacy and Confederate troops took the fort. United States troops from California held the fort again in 1862-1863. In 1868, Buffalo Soldiers under the 9th Cavalry Regiment occupied the fort, bringing an element of African-American history to these tokens that were issued just two years later. The fort was abandoned in 1877 and is a "ghost town" site today.<p>J.K. Moore, said to be of the Moore and Sweet partnership, is also credited with issuing tokens in his name at Camp Brown in Wyoming. James K. Moore is listed as the postmaster at Camp Brown at of the establishment the Post Office there in March 1875.，Ex Bob Medlar; Paul Koppenhaver auction, June 6, 1987; Alan V. Weinberg, September 2011; Q. David Bowers Collection.，