(1861-65) Brass Civil War Store Card F-845A-2b, D. Skidmore, Full Brockage Obv NY

Coin Details

Description

Merchant token from D. Skidmore, Full Brockage Obv of New York, cataloged as Fuld 845A-2b. New York state generated the second-largest body of Civil War token issues, concentrated in New York City but extending to Albany, Troy, Buffalo, and smaller commercial centers. This brass striking (Fuld 845A-2b) 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. Store cards circulated as emergency currency after wartime hoarding removed federal coins from commercial channels. Brass planchets were readily available to die sinkers, making this a relatively accessible metal variant for collectors. Collectors classify Civil War tokens by the Fuld numbering system, which catalogs each unique die combination with rarity ratings from R-1 (over 5,000 known) to R-10 (unique).

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 5 cataloged varieties, D. Skidmore, Full Brockage Obv was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 845A-2b