(c.1863) Brass Civil War Store Card F-630AS-1b, GW-622. C. Magnus

Coin Details

Auction Record

$600 MS67 11-18-2019 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War token cataloged as Fuld 630AS-1b, featuring a George Washington medal or token (GW-622). This token lacks the merchant identification found on most Civil War store cards. Its placement in the Fuld Location Unknown section reflects the purely patriotic or political nature of its die combination. Produced in brass, an alloy that took die impressions sharply and resisted corrosion well. Brass tokens survive in excellent condition more frequently than copper counterparts. Bearing the date c.1863. Over 25 million Civil War tokens were produced before Congress ended private coinage in 1864, making this one of the most extensive series in American numismatics. The end of the token era came in 1864 when Congress authorized new small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production. Surviving specimens are tangible artifacts of wartime monetary history.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 1 cataloged varieties, GW-622. C. Magnus was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 630AS-1b