(1863) Silver Civil War Store Card F-505B-2F, GW-579 F.B. Orr OH

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,560 MS63 11-18-2019 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of F. Borr., located in Mansfield, Ohio. Ohio's extensive commercial networks across dozens of cities generated an unparalleled body of merchant token issues during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. The 18 cataloged varieties for F. Borr. indicate a notable level of token production. This silver striking (Fuld 505B-2F) is rare among the known varieties. 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. Silver examples were struck in small quantities, often for collectors or as special orders. 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

Silver strikings are considerably scarcer than base metal versions, typically produced in small quantities for collectors or as special presentation pieces. With 18 cataloged varieties, F. Borr. was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 505B-2F