(1863) Brass Civil War Store Card F-630BH-1b, Christian Rauh NY

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of Christian Rauh in New York. New York state generated the second-largest body of Civil War token issues, concentrated in New York City but extending to Albany, Troy, Buffalo, and smaller commercial centers. Struck in brass, this die combination (Fuld 630BH-1b) is common to somewhat scarce. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Congress banned private token issuance in April 1864, but before that, tokens like this one circulated freely as cent substitutes in Northern commerce. Brass tokens are moderately available, with their yellowish color distinguishing them from the standard copper issues. Surviving specimens are tangible artifacts of the wartime monetary crisis that affected every commercial transaction in the Northern states.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 10 cataloged varieties, Christian Rauh was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 630BH-1b