(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-13D-2d, PA

Coin Details

Description

Fuld 13D-2d — store card of City Tea House, Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania was the Union's industrial heartland, with Philadelphia as a manufacturing center and Pittsburgh as an iron and steel producer. City Tea House issued 7 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The copper-nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 13D-2d) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. No date appears on this token, consistent with the rapid production practices of the 1862-1864 Civil War token boom. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. The copper-nickel composition gave these tokens the closest resemblance to federal coinage of any metal variant.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 7 cataloged varieties, City Tea House was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 13D-2d