(1863) Civil War Store Card F-67, b NOT ONE CENT

Coin Details

Description

Civil War token cataloged as Fuld 67, featuring obverse die 67 — an Indian Head or patriotic design — with the provocative legend "NOT ONE CENT" within a wreath. This seemingly contradictory inscription acknowledged the token had no legal-tender status while it simultaneously served as a cent substitute in everyday commerce. Indian Head obverse dies closely imitated James B. Longacre's federal cent design. By echoing the official design, these tokens blurred the line between private and government coinage. This token bears no merchant identification; its dies were paired speculatively by die sinkers for sale to the general public rather than commissioned by a specific merchant. Dated 1863, the peak year of Civil War token production when the coin shortage was most acute. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses capable of striking several hundred pieces per hour. The largest manufacturers maintained multiple presses to meet wartime demand.

Rarity Notes

Copper strikings are generally the most common metal variant for Civil War store cards, as copper was the standard planchet material mimicking the federal cent. With 1 cataloged varieties, b NOT ONE CENT was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 67