(1863) Brass Civil War Store Card F-630M-8b, Broas Pie Baker NY

Coin Details

Description

Broas Pie Baker of New York issued this token as emergency currency during the Civil War. The Broas family, led by James Ira Broas and his sons, operated a pie bakery at 131 41st Street in New York City. Their tokens carry patriotic reverses including "ONE COUNTRY" and "UNITED WE STAND." A large quantity was produced — far exceeding pie advertising needs — suggesting they circulated as general small change. This brass striking (Fuld 630M-8b) is common to somewhat scarce among the known varieties. Token production was a specialized trade — die sinkers maintained catalogs of stock dies that merchants could pair with custom obverses. Store cards circulated as emergency currency after wartime hoarding removed federal coins from commercial channels. Brass planchets were readily available to die sinkers, making this a relatively accessible metal variant for collectors.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 40 cataloged varieties, Broas Pie Baker was a substantial producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 630M-8b