(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-145B-2F, NY

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card from New York, cataloged as Fuld 145B-2F. 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. The silver composition of this variety (Fuld 145B-2F) is rare for this merchant. Most Civil War store cards carry no date; this token was struck during the 1862-1864 coin shortage era. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Store cards circulated as emergency currency after wartime hoarding removed federal coins from commercial channels. Silver examples were struck in small quantities, often for collectors or as special orders. Token production peaked in 1863 when the coin shortage was most acute, with die sinkers working around the clock to fill merchant orders.

Rarity Notes

Silver strikings are considerably scarcer than base metal versions, typically produced in small quantities for collectors or as special presentation pieces. With 15 cataloged varieties, this merchant was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 145B-2F