(1861-65) Brass Civil War Store Card F-425A-6b, White & Swann AL

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,440 XF40 09-21-2022 Stack's Bowers

Description

Store card of White & Swann in Huntsville, Alabama, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. 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. This brass striking (Fuld 425A-6b) is common to somewhat scarce among the known varieties. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. Civil War tokens addressed a practical problem: the wartime disappearance of federal small change made daily transactions nearly impossible without private substitutes. Brass planchets were readily available to die sinkers, making this a relatively accessible metal variant for collectors.

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-6b