(1863) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-630BK-1do, Ed. Schaff NY

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,560 MS62 04-03-2024 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War store card issued by Ed. Schaff of New York. 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. This piece is an overstrike struck over a host coin, an 1863 Indian Head cent. Traces of the original design may be visible beneath the new impressions. Each unique combination of obverse and reverse dies constitutes a separate Fuld catalog number, even when struck in the same metal. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color. Token production peaked in 1863 when the coin shortage was most acute, with die sinkers working around the clock to fill merchant orders.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. Overstrike varieties are generally scarcer than tokens struck on blank planchets, as they required sourcing and re-striking existing coins. With 17 cataloged varieties, Ed. Schaff was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 630BK-1do