(1861-65) Brass Civil War Store Card F-347B/451Ab, Good For 4 Cents

Coin Details

Auction Record

$103 NGC Genuine 05-18-2019 eBay

Description

Civil War token cataloged as Fuld 347B/451Ab, combining obverse die 347 — a patriotic inscription reverse — with reverse die 451 bearing the denomination "GOOD FOR 4 CENTS". A rare higher denomination for Civil War tokens. Token production peaked in 1863 when the coin shortage was most acute. Americans hoarded federal coins following the suspension of specie payments in December 1861. Produced in brass, an alloy that took die impressions sharply and resisted corrosion well. Brass tokens survive in excellent condition more frequently than copper counterparts. This token lacks the merchant identification found on most Civil War store cards. Its placement in the Fuld Location Unknown section reflects the purely patriotic or political nature of its die combination. Bearing the date range 1861-65, covering the years of the wartime coin shortage.

Rarity Notes

Copper strikings are generally the most common metal variant for Civil War store cards, as copper was the standard planchet material mimicking the federal cent. With 1 cataloged varieties, Good For 4 Cents was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 347B/451Ab