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

Coin Details

Auction Record

$456 MS64 11-18-2019 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of GW-669 T. Brimelow in New York. 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 white metal, this die combination (Fuld 630K-9e) is somewhat scarce. The token trade was competitive, with die sinkers in New York, Cincinnati, and other cities vying for merchant orders across the region. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. White metal strikings are less common than copper or brass and show more wear due to the soft alloy. Collectors classify Civil War tokens by the Fuld numbering system, which catalogs each unique die combination with rarity ratings from R-1 (over 5,000 known) to R-10 (unique).

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 44 cataloged varieties, GW-669 T. Brimelow was a substantial producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 630K-9e