(1861-65) Civil War Store Card F-890D-1h, Hard Rubber W.E. Hagan NY

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by Hard Rubber W.E. Hagan of New York. 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. The lead composition of this variety (Fuld 890D-1h) is scarce for this merchant. Many Civil War tokens share common reverse dies, as die sinkers paired merchant-specific obverses with stock patriotic or advertising reverses. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. Lead examples are rare survivors, as the soft metal is easily damaged and many pieces were discarded. Civil War store cards are collected both as numismatic items and as historical documents of wartime American commerce.

Rarity Notes

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

Cross References

Fuld 890D-1h