(1861-65) Brass Civil War Store Card F-LU-K-2b, J. Katzenstein

Coin Details

Description

Civil War token cataloged as Fuld LU-K-2b, featuring the merchant J. Katzenstein. This token carries a Location Unknown "LU" Fuld designation, indicating a specific issuer in an unidentified location. Struck in brass, a copper-zinc alloy that gave the token a golden appearance while maintaining similar size and weight to copper pieces. Bearing the date range 1861-65, covering the years of the wartime coin shortage. Token production peaked in 1863 when the coin shortage was most acute. Americans had hoarded federal coins since the suspension of specie payments in December 1861. Token issuers ranged from sole proprietors to large retail establishments, with some merchants ordering thousands of pieces while others had only a few hundred struck for local distribution. Over 25 million Civil War tokens were produced before Congress ended private coinage in 1864, making this one of the most extensive series in American numismatics.

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, J. Katzenstein was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld LU-K