(1864) German-Silver Civil War Store Card F-700D-5j, H. Dobson RI

Coin Details

Description

Arcade House of Providence issued this token as emergency currency during the Civil War coin shortage. Providence was an important manufacturing center, particularly in textiles and jewelry. The city's merchants issued Civil War tokens to maintain daily commerce. The 14 cataloged varieties for Arcade House indicate a notable level of token production. This german-silver striking (Fuld 700D-5j) is scarce among the known varieties. Die sinkers offered merchants a choice of metals, with copper being cheapest and most common, while silver and gold were struck for collectors. Civil War tokens addressed a practical problem: the wartime disappearance of federal small change made daily transactions nearly impossible without private substitutes. German silver pieces have a silvery-white color that distinguishes them from the more common copper and brass strikings.

Rarity Notes

German silver (a copper-nickel-zinc alloy) strikings are less common than copper or brass versions and are sought after for their distinctive silvery appearance. With 14 cataloged varieties, Arcade House was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 700D-5j