(1863) White Metal Civil War Store Card F-560A-1a, . Flemming & Bro. IA

Coin Details

Description

Store card of Wm. Flemming & Bro. in Lansing, Iowa, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. Iowa contributed disproportionately to the war effort relative to its population, with merchants issuing tokens in small numbers reflecting its less urbanized economy. Wm. Flemming & Bro. issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This white metal striking (Fuld 560A-1a) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. Federal coinage vanished from circulation after 1861 as citizens hoarded silver and copper for their metal value, leaving merchants to fill the void with tokens. White metal strikings are less common than copper or brass and show more wear due to the soft alloy. 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

White metal (tin alloy) strikings are less common than copper or brass versions and tend to show more wear due to the softness of the alloy. With 5 cataloged varieties, Wm. Flemming & Bro. was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 560A-1a