(1861-65) Copper Civil War Store Card F-630BU-2a, S. Steinfeld NY

Coin Details

Auction Record

$312 MS66BN 08-22-2018 Stack's Bowers

Description

Merchant token from S. Steinfeld of New York, cataloged as Fuld 630BU-2a. 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 copper composition of this variety (Fuld 630BU-2a) is common for this merchant. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. Many Civil War tokens were produced in quantities far exceeding actual commercial need, as die sinkers and merchants recognized the speculative collecting interest that was already developing. After Congress banned private coinage in 1864, surviving tokens became instant collectibles, with serious collecting beginning within a decade of the war's end.

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 6 cataloged varieties, S. Steinfeld was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 630BU-2a