(1861-65) German-Silver Civil War Store Card F-880A-1j, John Kenmuir MO

Coin Details

Description

John Kenmuir of Missouri issued this token as emergency currency during the Civil War. Missouri was a contested border state with St. Louis as a Union stronghold where most Missouri Civil War store cards originated. With 2 known varieties, John Kenmuir produced a modest number of token types. This german-silver striking (Fuld 880A-1j) is scarce among the known varieties. Token production was a specialized trade — die sinkers maintained catalogs of stock dies that merchants could pair with custom obverses. Congress banned private token issuance in April 1864, but before that, tokens like this one circulated freely as cent substitutes in Northern commerce. German silver pieces have a silvery-white color that distinguishes them from the more common copper and brass strikings. Over 25 million Civil War tokens were produced before Congress ended private coinage in April 1864, making them the largest private coinage movement in American history.

Rarity Notes

German silver (a copper-nickel-zinc alloy) strikings are less common than copper or brass versions and are sought after for their distinctive silvery appearance. With 2 cataloged varieties, John Kenmuir was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 880A-1j