(1861-65) Brass Civil War Store Card F-425A-3b, White & Swann AL

Coin Details

Auction Record

$2,640 AU53 10-14-2020 Heritage Auctions

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of White & Swann, located in Huntsville, Alabama. Alabama was a Confederate state, making merchant-issued tokens from Alabama particularly unusual. Most date to early in the war or from areas under Union control. White & Swann produced 29 cataloged die varieties, reflecting a substantial token operation. The brass composition of this variety (Fuld 425A-3b) is common to somewhat scarce for this merchant. The token trade was competitive, with die sinkers in New York, Cincinnati, and other cities vying for merchant orders across the region. The token era ended when Congress authorized new federal small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production in 1864. Brass tokens are moderately available, with their yellowish color distinguishing them from the standard copper issues. Surviving specimens are tangible artifacts of the wartime monetary crisis that affected every commercial transaction in the Northern states.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 29 cataloged varieties, White & Swann was a moderately active token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 425A-3b