(1863) Brass Civil War Store Card F-600D-1b, . McDonald TN

Coin Details

Description

Civil War-era store card from . McDonald, a Memphis, Tennessee business. Tennessee was divided during the Civil War. Nashville fell to Union forces in 1862, and merchants in Union-controlled areas issued tokens as emergency small change. . McDonald issued 8 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in brass, this die combination (Fuld 600D-1b) is common to somewhat scarce. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. Merchant-issued tokens circulated as substitutes for scarce federal coinage throughout the Northern states between 1862 and 1864. Brass was the second most common planchet material after copper, giving tokens a golden appearance. 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

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 8 cataloged varieties, . McDonald was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 600D-1b