(1863) Silver Civil War Store Card F-95D-2F, GW-591 T. Ivory NY

Coin Details

Auction Record

$2,280 MS63 11-18-2019 Stack's Bowers

Description

This Civil War token was issued by GW-591 T. Ivory in New York. T. Ivory operated a billiard saloon at the corner of Fulton and Orange Streets in Brooklyn. His tokens feature a bust of George Washington on the reverse inscribed "THE WASHINGTON TOKEN. 1863." One variety was struck over an 1857 Seated Liberty Dime, with traces of the original coin still visible — making overstrike varieties especially prized among specialists. This silver striking (Fuld 95D-2F) is rare among the known varieties. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. The silver composition indicates a piece produced outside the normal commercial run, as a numismatic item.

Rarity Notes

Silver strikings are considerably scarcer than base metal versions, typically produced in small quantities for collectors or as special presentation pieces. With 27 cataloged varieties, GW-591 T. Ivory was a moderately active token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 95D-2F