Indices

After 1860, Europeans and Americans came to accept card indices, markings on the faces that declared their values. Early indices included:

• triplicates, when the standard card face bears miniature faces in two corners
• border indices, when numerals and suit signs line the edges of the card
• numerals inscribed within the suit signs
• large numerals dominating the card face

The most popular indices proved to be the small markings in diagonally opposite corners, or, less frequently, in all four corners.

Triplicate card by Andrew Dougherty, New York, 1875

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