(c.1862) White Metal Civil War Store Card F-750V-5e, GW-558 N & G Taylor Co.

Coin Details

Auction Record

$840 MS63 11-18-2019 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War token cataloged as Fuld 750V-5e, featuring a George Washington medal or token (GW-558). This token bears no merchant identification; its dies were paired speculatively by die sinkers for sale to the general public rather than commissioned by a specific merchant. White metal strikings are scarcer than base metal versions. The soft tin alloy means these tokens were more susceptible to damage in circulation. Dated c.1862. Congress banned private token issuance in April 1864, and the introduction of fractional currency notes and new bronze two-cent pieces gradually eliminated the need for emergency tokens. Civil War tokens circulated freely throughout the Northern states from mid-1862 through 1864. Merchants accepted them alongside genuine federal cents, and many show heavy wear from commerce.

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 1 cataloged varieties, GW-558 N & G Taylor Co. was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 750V-5e