(1861-65) German-Silver Civil War Store Card F-95D-4j, T. Ivory NY

Coin Details

Description

T. Ivory of New York issued this Civil War store card during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. T. Ivory operated a billiard saloon at the corner of Fulton and Orange Streets in Brooklyn. His tokens feature a bust of George Washington on the reverse inscribed "THE WASHINGTON TOKEN. 1863." One variety was struck over an 1857 Seated Liberty Dime, with traces of the original coin still visible — making overstrike varieties especially prized among specialists. Struck in german-silver, this die combination (Fuld 95D-4j) is scarce. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Store cards circulated as emergency currency after wartime hoarding removed federal coins from commercial channels. The German silver alloy gives these tokens an attractive appearance that has made them popular with collectors.

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 27 cataloged varieties, T. Ivory was a moderately active token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 95D-4j