(1863) Brass Civil War Store Card F-890E-13b, Rev Brockage of Oliver Boutwell NY

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of Rev Brockage of Oliver Boutwell in 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 890E-13b) is common to somewhat scarce among the known varieties. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. 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.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 15 cataloged varieties, Rev Brockage of Oliver Boutwell was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 890E-13b