(1861-65) White Metal Civil War Store Card F-330A-5e, A. Killeen NY

Coin Details

Description

Merchant token from A. Killeen of New York, cataloged as Fuld 330A-5e. New York was the nation's commercial capital, with New York City alone producing hundreds of store card varieties from Broadway retailers to waterfront wholesalers. The white metal composition of this variety (Fuld 330A-5e) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. Many Civil War tokens share common reverse dies, as die sinkers paired merchant-specific obverses with stock patriotic or advertising reverses. Congress banned private token issuance in April 1864, but before that, tokens like this one circulated freely as cent substitutes in Northern commerce. White metal strikings are less common than copper or brass and show more wear due to the soft alloy. Many Civil War tokens survive in high grades because merchants and the public saved them as novelties, resulting in a better average preservation than contemporary federal coins.

Rarity Notes

White metal (tin alloy) strikings are less common than copper or brass versions and tend to show more wear due to the softness of the alloy. With 9 cataloged varieties, A. Killeen was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 330A-5e