By DB Sikes
Card Subject Overview
General Winfield Scott, known as “The Hero of the Mexican War,” was one of America’s earliest national military figures. His victories in the Mexican-American War secured his reputation as a strategist of international standing, and his long service gave him influence in both military and political spheres. His presence in the T68 Heroes of History set reflects the series’ emphasis on both American statesmen and battlefield legends, positioning him alongside presidents, patriots, and foreign dignitaries as part of the educational mission of the tobacco premiums.
Scott’s stern and commanding portrait makes his card one of the more visually imposing in the set, and his wide distribution across multiple tobacco brands ensures that he remains a central subject for collectors pursuing comprehensive back-type runs.
“Peace won by compromise is not peace at all—it is a truce.”
– General Winfield Scott
Card Checklist
✅ Known backs and variations represented:
- Royal Bengals (Factory 2)
- Royal Bengals (Factory 17)
- Miners Extra (Regular)
- Miners Extra (Short Cut)
- Pan Handle Scrap (Blue – multiple shades)
- Natural Leaf Scrap
- Silver Back (Placeholder copy, to be upgraded)
Scott is one of the few Tier 4 headliners to appear across nearly every brand line. The current Silver back remains a placeholder until a higher-grade example can be acquired.
Rarity Tier & Difficulty Level
Winfield Scott is a Tier 4 – Headliner subject, among the most prominent and widely recognized in the set. His broad back-type representation makes him highly desirable, though certain versions such as Natural Leaf or strong-condition Pan Handle Scrap examples remain elusive. The short-cut Miners Extra and Silver back variation add further intrigue, elevating the difficulty of a complete run.
Acquisition Journey
The Pan Handle Scrap (Blue) versions required patience, gradually acquired through a mix of auctions and collector trades. Both Royal Bengals factories were secured from different regional sellers, a reminder of Scott’s wide circulation footprint. The Natural Leaf Scrap surfaced in a mixed lot containing multiple rare examples, while the short-cut Miners Extra was picked up raw and shows classic packaging reduction.
The Silver back, while present, is in lower condition and stands as a placeholder copy until a higher-quality upgrade can be secured.
Printing & Distribution Notes
Scott’s card maintains strong lithographic clarity across both Factory 2 and Factory 17 issues. The Miners Extra and Natural Leaf versions tend to exhibit heavier wear, suggesting their packaging origins led to greater handling. His confirmed representation across nearly all brand lines reinforces his standing as a marquee subject in the set’s distribution.
Shades of Blue: A Pan Handle Comparison
The Pan Handle Scrap backs for Winfield Scott provide one of the clearest demonstrations of the recurring “Shades of Blue” phenomenon within the T68 series. Lined up side by side, three distinct tones emerge, moving from light to dark:
- Light Steel Blue (Left): A soft, pale tone with lower ink saturation. These examples often show more surface fade and a thinner impression of the lettering.
- Medium Royal Blue (Center): The most balanced and consistent of the shades, with even coverage and a classic mid-range blue. This is the most frequently encountered tone among Pan Handle issues.
- Deep Navy Blue (Right): Heavily inked, producing a darker, almost black appearance. These examples stand out for their bold impression and depth of color.
Above the lineup sits the Silver back placeholder, included for contrast until a higher-quality example can replace it. Together, these variations highlight production differences at Factory No. 10 in New Jersey and confirm that shade changes were systemic to the press runs rather than isolated anomalies.
Research Notes
Scott’s back run spans both Factory 2 (New Jersey) and Factory 17 (Virginia), underscoring his status as a cornerstone subject in nationwide distribution. His Natural Leaf example confirms his place in one of the scarcer brand lines, and the placeholder Silver back documents another important variation. No confirmed blank backs have surfaced to date.
Personal Reflection
Completing the Winfield Scott back run has been one of the highlights of my T68 chase. As a Tier 4 subject, his prominence makes him central to the series and essential to any advanced collection. The Silver back remains a placeholder, but even in its current form it marks an important step toward completeness. The variation in Pan Handle Scrap shades adds depth to his story and provides collectors with a unique opportunity to study press-level differences across one of the set’s headline names
Category Tags
• Subject Name: General Winfield Scott
• Variation Type: Pan Handle Scrap (Blue – multiple shades), Natural Leaf Scrap, Miners Extra (Regular & Short Cut), Royal Bengals Factory 2 & 17, Silver Back (Placeholder)
• Rarity Tier: Tier 4 – True Commons
• Year: 1910–1911
• T68 Series: Series Two
• Full Back-Type Completed: Pending Silver Back upgrade
Leave a Reply