(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-150A-5D, KS

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card from Kansas, cataloged as Fuld 150A-5D. Kansas had been "Bleeding Kansas" in the 1850s slavery debate and was strongly Unionist. Its smaller population produced fewer token varieties. Struck in copper-nickel, this die combination (Fuld 150A-5D) is somewhat scarce. Undated Civil War tokens like this one circulated alongside dated issues during the 1862-1864 period. Token manufacturers struck pieces by the thousands, using hand-fed screw presses capable of producing several hundred tokens per hour. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color. Over 25 million Civil War tokens were produced before Congress ended private coinage in April 1864, making them the largest private coinage movement in American history.

Rarity Notes

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

Cross References

Fuld 150A-5D