(1864) Silver Civil War Store Card F-630K-9F, GW-669 T. Brimelow NY

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,920 MS63 11-18-2019 Stack's Bowers

Description

GW-669 T. Brimelow of New York produced this token as a cent substitute during the wartime coin shortage. New York was the nation's commercial capital, with New York City alone producing hundreds of store card varieties from Broadway retailers to waterfront wholesalers. Struck in silver, this die combination (Fuld 630K-9F) is rare. Each unique combination of obverse and reverse dies constitutes a separate Fuld catalog number, even when struck in the same metal. The Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. Silver examples were struck in small quantities, often for collectors or as special orders. Surviving specimens are tangible artifacts of the wartime monetary crisis that affected every commercial transaction in the Northern states.

Rarity Notes

Silver strikings are considerably scarcer than base metal versions, typically produced in small quantities for collectors or as special presentation pieces. With 44 cataloged varieties, GW-669 T. Brimelow was a substantial producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 630K-9F