(1863) Brass Civil War Store Card F-890B-11b, Oliver Boutwell NY

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by Oliver Boutwell of New York. Oliver Boutwell (1807-1888) began as a baker then established himself as a miller near Sloop Lock in Troy, NY. The firm O. Boutwell & Son dealt in flour, wheat, rye, oats, and corn. An estimated 100,000-200,000 of his tokens were issued and circulated extensively throughout the Eastern United States, making them among the most widely distributed Civil War store cards. His tokens promised paper redemption with the inscription "REDEEMED IN BILLS AT MY OFFICE." This brass striking (Fuld 890B-11b) is common to somewhat scarce among the known varieties. Many Civil War tokens share common reverse dies, as die sinkers paired merchant-specific obverses with stock patriotic or advertising reverses. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. Brass was the second most common planchet material after copper, giving tokens a golden appearance.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 42 cataloged varieties, Oliver Boutwell was a substantial producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 890B-11b