(1863) White Metal Civil War Store Card F-630BB-12e, GW-632 399 B'Way NY

Coin Details

Auction Record

$240 MS65 05-29-2019 Stack's Bowers

Description

Store card of GW-632 399 B'Way in New York, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. 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. Struck in white metal, this die combination (Fuld 630BB-12e) is somewhat scarce. Professional die sinkers like John Stanton, Benjamin True, and William Bridgens supplied dies to merchants across the Northern states. 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 (a tin-based alloy) pieces are scarcer than copper and often show significant wear from their soft composition. The cent-sized format was chosen deliberately to match the federal Indian Head cent, the coin most conspicuously absent from daily commerce.

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 81 cataloged varieties, GW-632 399 B'Way was one of the most prolific merchants in the series.

Cross References

Fuld 630BB-12e