(1864) Brass Civil War Store Card F-30A-1b, Parsons & Barlow WI

Coin Details

Description

Merchant token from Parsons & Barlow of Appleton, Wisconsin, cataloged as Fuld 30A-1b. G. Parsons operated a fireworks business in New York City and issued tokens advertising "G. PARSONS FIREWORKS" in 1863. Some varieties are extremely rare (R-8), including a German Silver striking that is unique as the only certified example. The large number of die combinations indicates either a long production run or deliberate creation of varieties. This brass striking (Fuld 30A-1b) is common to somewhat scarce among the known varieties. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Merchant-issued tokens circulated as substitutes for scarce federal coinage throughout the Northern states between 1862 and 1864. Brass was the second most common planchet material after copper, giving tokens a golden appearance.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 10 cataloged varieties, Parsons & Barlow was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 30A-1b