By DB Sikes
Card Subject Overview
General Anthony Wayne, nicknamed “Mad Anthony” for his bold and aggressive battlefield tactics, earned his place in American Revolutionary War history through decisive leadership and fearless execution. His most famous exploit, the midnight storming of Stony Point on July 16, 1779, showcased both his military brilliance and his personal courage. Severely wounded in the assault, Wayne famously ordered his men to carry him forward so that he could lead from the front.
Wayne’s post-war career saw him commanding the U.S. Army in campaigns against Native American forces in the Northwest Territory, culminating in the Treaty of Greenville. His death in 1796 at Presque Isle, Pennsylvania, ended a life marked by relentless service to the young republic. His appearance in the T68 “Men of History” Series 2 captures not only his battlefield legacy but also the patriotic spirit woven through the set’s American-focused subjects.
“With one bold blow, the fort was ours—bayonets only, no shots fired.” – attributed to Anthony Wayne at Stony Point
Card Checklist
✅ All known backs and variations completed:
- Royal Bengals (Factory 2)
- Royal Bengals (Factory 17) – noticeable warmer lithographic tone compared to other versions
- Miners Extra (Regular)
- Miners Extra (Short Cut)
- Natural Leaf Scrap
- Pan Handle Scrap (Blue) – both dark navy and lighter steel-blue ink variants
- Pan Handle Scrap (Silver Back) – SGC 2.5
- Blank Back (Unconfirmed)
This “run the table” for Anthony Wayne includes the elusive Pan Handle Scrap Silver Back, making it one of the most desirable full-back collections in the set for a single subject.
Rarity Tier & Difficulty Level
Anthony Wayne is a Tier 3 – Supporting Cast figure within the T68 Men of History subset. While his historical legacy is significant, he is not among the most prominently featured or sought-after subjects in the series, which can make his appearances slightly less competitive in general auctions. However, completing a full-back run is still a notable achievement, particularly due to the scarcity of certain variations. The Pan Handle Scrap Silver Back remains the most challenging piece of the run, with examples surfacing only rarely in the collector market.
Acquisition Journey
The Silver Back Pan Handle Scrap was secured after years of searching, graded SGC 2.5 with strong color and clean registration. Both Royal Bengals versions were acquired from mixed factory group purchases, with the Factory 17 showing a richer, warmer lithographic tone—possibly the result of differences in ink formulation or print batch timing.
The Pan Handle Scrap blue variants were sourced separately: the deep navy version from an Ebay auction and the lighter steel-blue from a private bulk sale. The Natural Leaf Scrap came in a multi-card lot from a private seller on Non-Sports collector Facebook site, while the Miners Extra versions (Long & Short Cut) were purchased in a raw group of Series 2 subjects.
Printing & Distribution Notes
The Factory 17 Royal Bengals Wayne card stands out for its slightly warmer, more golden hue in the background and uniform color saturation, contrasting with the cooler tone of the Factory 2 and other brand prints. This difference, though subtle, is consistent with other Factory 17 lithographs and offers an additional point of study for production researchers.
Wayne’s inclusion across Royal Bengals, Miners Extra, Natural Leaf Scrap, and Pan Handle Scrap confirms that his card was widely circulated in multiple tobacco product lines, suggesting strong appeal for an American historical audience.
Shades of Blue: A Pan Handle Scrap Comparison
The Anthony Wayne backs provide some of the clearest evidence that Pan Handle Scrap printing exists in three distinct blue tones:
- Deep Navy Blue – A dark, heavy application of ink that appears nearly black-blue.
- Steel Blue – A medium, balanced tone that reflects the standard shade most often seen.
- Light Powder Blue – A pale, softer impression where paper grain shows more clearly through the ink.
These variations likely reflect differences in press calibration, ink supply, or print batches at Factory No. 10 (5th District of New Jersey). While blue shade shifts appear on other subjects, Wayne’s Pan Handle backs stand out as the most straightforward side-by-side comparison — especially when paired against the silver back for contrast.
Research Notes
Anthony Wayne’s broad distribution across multiple brands reinforces his role as a cornerstone American figure within Series 2. His presence in both Factory 2 and Factory 17 Royal Bengals further supports theories that Series 2 subjects were printed at multiple sites simultaneously.
The Pan Handle Silver Back, while not unique to Wayne, is one of the most visually striking and sought-after backs in the entire set, its metallic ink and rarity making it a true prize for advanced collectors.
Personal Reflection
Completing the Anthony Wayne run was one of my most satisfying T68 achievements. The Silver Back was a milestone acquisition, and the discovery of distinct Pan Handle blue shades added depth to the pursuit. The tonal difference in the Factory 17 Royal Bengals version makes this run even more compelling, bridging historical significance, production variety, and collector challenge into one cohesive story.
Category Tags
- Subject Name: General Anthony Wayne (“Mad Anthony”)
- Variation Type: Pan Handle Scrap (Blue – Dark & Light), Pan Handle Scrap (Silver Back), Natural Leaf Scrap, Miners Extra, Royal Bengals Factory 2 & 17
- Rarity Tier: Tier 4- True Commons
- Year: 1910–1911
- T68 Series: Series Two
- Full Back-Type Completed: ✅
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