(1864) Copper-Nickel Civil War Store Card F-600D-2d, . McDonald TN

Coin Details

Description

Merchant token from . McDonald of Memphis, Tennessee, cataloged as Fuld 600D-2d. Tennessee was divided during the Civil War. Nashville fell to Union forces in 1862, and merchants in Union-controlled areas issued tokens as emergency small change. . McDonald issued 8 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper-nickel, this die combination (Fuld 600D-2d) is somewhat scarce. Token production was a specialized trade — die sinkers maintained catalogs of stock dies that merchants could pair with custom obverses. 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. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color. George and Melvin Fuld's catalog remains the standard reference for Civil War tokens, with each variety assigned a unique identification number.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 8 cataloged varieties, . McDonald was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 600D-2d