(1863) Civil War Store Card F-890A-8a, Bassett's WV

Coin Details

Description

Civil War-era store card from Bassett's, a Wheeling, West Virginia business. West Virginia separated from Virginia in 1863 to remain in the Union. Its merchants produced tokens to address the coin shortage in the newly formed state. The 13 cataloged varieties for Bassett's indicate a notable level of token production. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 890A-8a) is common. Die sinkers offered merchants a choice of metals, with copper being cheapest and most common, while silver and gold were struck for collectors. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. Collectors classify Civil War tokens by the Fuld numbering system, which catalogs each unique die combination with rarity ratings from R-1 (over 5,000 known) to R-10 (unique).

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 13 cataloged varieties, Bassett's was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 890A-8a