(1861-65) Copper Civil War Store Card F-10H-3aa, D.L. Wing & Co. NY

Coin Details

Auction Record

$55 MS62BN 11-16-2012 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of D.L. Wing & Co. in New York. D.L. Wing & Co. operated as flour merchants at 318 Broadway in Albany, marketing their product under the patriotic brand name "Union Flour." The tokens feature wheat stalks flanking the inscription, reflecting Albany's position as a major grain milling center on the Erie Canal. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 10H-3aa) is common for this merchant. The token trade was competitive, with die sinkers in New York, Cincinnati, and other cities vying for merchant orders across the region. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. 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

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 18 cataloged varieties, D.L. Wing & Co. was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 10H-3aa