(1863) Civil War Store Card F-630BB-14D, GW-626 CuNi Monk's Metal Signs NY

Coin Details

Auction Record

$456 MS65 11-18-2019 Stack's Bowers

Description

Merchant token from GW-626 CuNi Monk's Metal Signs of New York, cataloged as Fuld 630BB-14D. New York was the nation's commercial capital, with New York City alone producing hundreds of store card varieties from Broadway retailers to waterfront wholesalers. Struck in copper-nickel, this die combination (Fuld 630BB-14D) is somewhat scarce. Die sinkers offered merchants a choice of metals, with copper being cheapest and most common, while silver and gold were struck for collectors. Civil War tokens addressed a practical problem: the wartime disappearance of federal small change made daily transactions nearly impossible without private substitutes. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color. Many Civil War tokens survive in high grades because merchants and the public saved them as novelties, resulting in a better average preservation than contemporary federal coins.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 81 cataloged varieties, GW-626 CuNi Monk's Metal Signs was one of the most prolific merchants in the series.

Cross References

Fuld 630BB-14D