(1861-65) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-750B-1d, M.B. Allebach PA

Coin Details

Auction Record

$312 MS66 04-12-2023 Stack's Bowers

Description

Store card of M.B. Allebach in Phila, Pennsylvania, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. Pennsylvania was the Union's industrial heartland, with Philadelphia as a manufacturing center and Pittsburgh as an iron and steel producer. With 2 known varieties, M.B. Allebach produced a modest number of token types. This copper-nickel striking (Fuld 750B-1d) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. 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. The copper-nickel composition gave these tokens the closest resemblance to federal coinage of any metal variant. 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-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 2 cataloged varieties, M.B. Allebach was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 750B-1d