(1863) Lead Civil War Store Card F-630BI-1g, Frederick Follwagen Jr. NY

Coin Details

Auction Record

$80 XF Details 04-15-2021 Stack's Bowers

Description

Merchant token from Frederick Follwagen Jr. of New York, cataloged as Fuld 630BI-1g. 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 lead striking (Fuld 630BI-1g) is scarce among the known varieties. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. Merchant-issued tokens circulated as substitutes for scarce federal coinage throughout the Northern states between 1862 and 1864. Lead strikings were produced as trial pieces or die tests before the main production run. 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. Civil War store cards are collected both as numismatic items and as historical documents of wartime American commerce.

Rarity Notes

Lead strikings are uncommon, likely produced as trial pieces or die tests rather than for commercial circulation. With 4 cataloged varieties, Frederick Follwagen Jr. was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 630BI-1g