(1861) White Metal Civil War Store Card F-525A-1f, S.H. Zahm PA

Coin Details

Description

Civil War-era store card from S.H. Zahm, a Lancaster, Pennsylvania business. Pennsylvania was the Union's industrial heartland, with Philadelphia as a manufacturing center and Pittsburgh as an iron and steel producer. With 4 known varieties, S.H. Zahm produced a modest number of token types. The white metal composition of this variety (Fuld 525A-1f) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. Each unique combination of obverse and reverse dies constitutes a separate Fuld catalog number, even when struck in the same metal. The token era ended when Congress authorized new federal small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production in 1864. White metal strikings are less common than copper or brass and show more wear due to the soft alloy. After Congress banned private coinage in 1864, surviving tokens became instant collectibles, with serious collecting beginning within a decade of the war's end.

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 4 cataloged varieties, S.H. Zahm was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 525A-1f