(1863) German-Silver Civil War Store Card F-630BO-2j, Edwd. Schulze's NY

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by Edwd. Schulze's of New York. New York state generated the second-largest body of Civil War token issues, concentrated in New York City but extending to Albany, Troy, Buffalo, and smaller commercial centers. The german-silver composition of this variety (Fuld 630BO-2j) is scarce for this merchant. Professional die sinkers like John Stanton, Benjamin True, and William Bridgens supplied dies to merchants across the Northern states. The Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. The German silver alloy gives these tokens an attractive appearance that has made them popular with collectors. The Fuld catalog documents thousands of distinct die combinations for Civil War store cards, making this one of the most complex series in American numismatics.

Rarity Notes

German silver (a copper-nickel-zinc alloy) strikings are less common than copper or brass versions and are sought after for their distinctive silvery appearance. With 8 cataloged varieties, Edwd. Schulze's was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 630BO-2j