(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-630BV-7a, Story & Southworth NY

Coin Details

Auction Record

$120 MS63BN 09-21-2022 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War-era store card from Story & Southworth of New York. Story & Southworth operated a grocery store in New York City. While some original wartime varieties are scarce (R-6, with only 21-76 estimated survivors), the series is notable because post-war producers Emil Sigel and Edward Groh later created over 100 additional die combinations using the original obverse die, requiring careful distinction between wartime originals and post-war restrikes. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 630BV-7a) is common for this merchant. 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. 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 111 cataloged varieties, Story & Southworth was one of the most prolific merchants in the series.

Cross References

Fuld 630BV-7a