(1861-65) Civil War Store Card F-630Qa-1h, Rubber David Close NY

Coin Details

Description

Rubber David Close of New York issued this token as emergency currency during the Civil War. New York was the nation's commercial capital, with New York City alone producing hundreds of store card varieties from Broadway retailers to waterfront wholesalers. The lead composition of this variety (Fuld 630Qa-1h) is scarce for this merchant. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. Lead strikings were produced as trial pieces or die tests before the main production run. George and Melvin Fuld's catalog remains the standard reference for Civil War tokens, with each variety assigned a unique identification number.

Rarity Notes

Lead strikings are uncommon, likely produced as trial pieces or die tests rather than for commercial circulation. With 1 cataloged varieties, Rubber David Close was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 630Qa-1h