(1861) German-Silver Civil War Store Card F-750U-1j, A.B. Taylor PA

Coin Details

Auction Record

$264 MS63 09-02-2021 Stack's Bowers

Description

Store card of A.B. Taylor 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. Struck in german-silver, this die combination (Fuld 750U-1j) is scarce. 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 German silver alloy gives these tokens an attractive appearance that has made them popular with collectors. 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

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 1 cataloged varieties, A.B. Taylor was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 750U-1j