(1864) White Metal Civil War Store Card F-460A-1e, E. Wirth WI

Coin Details

Description

Merchant token from E. Wirth of Mayfield, Wisconsin, cataloged as Fuld 460A-1e. Wisconsin was a growing frontier state with Milwaukee as its largest commercial center, and its merchants issued tokens as practical solutions to the coin shortage. The 10 cataloged varieties for E. Wirth indicate a notable level of token production. Struck in white metal, this die combination (Fuld 460A-1e) is somewhat scarce. 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. White metal strikings are less common than copper or brass and show more wear due to the soft alloy. Surviving specimens are tangible artifacts of the wartime monetary crisis that affected every commercial transaction in the Northern states.

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 10 cataloged varieties, E. Wirth was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 460A-1e