(1863) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-LU-R-3d, IXL Dairy OH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War token cataloged as Fuld LU-R-3d, featuring the IXL Dairy. This token carries a Location Unknown "LU" Fuld designation, indicating a specific issuer in an unidentified location. Struck in copper-nickel, the same alloy used for federal flying eagle and Indian Head cents. This composition is less common than copper for Civil War tokens. Dated 1863, the peak year of Civil War token production when the coin shortage was most acute. New York City produced over half of all Civil War tokens, with additional output from Waterbury, Connecticut (center of the brass industry) and Cincinnati, Ohio. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses capable of striking several hundred pieces per hour. Merchants who issued tokens during the Civil War provided a critical public service by maintaining the ability to make change for routine purchases at a time when federal coinage had nearly vanished from everyday commerce. 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, IXL Dairy was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld LU-R