(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-425A-11B, AL

Coin Details

Description

Merchant token from White & Swann of Huntsville, Alabama, cataloged as Fuld 425A-11B. Alabama was a Confederate state, making merchant-issued tokens from Alabama particularly unusual. Most date to early in the war or from areas under Union control. White & Swann produced 29 cataloged die varieties, reflecting a substantial token operation. Struck in brass, this die combination (Fuld 425A-11B) is common to somewhat scarce. Like the majority of Civil War store cards, this token is undated, produced during the acute 1862-1864 small change crisis. The token trade was competitive, with die sinkers in New York, Cincinnati, and other cities vying for merchant orders across the region. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. Brass tokens are moderately available, with their yellowish color distinguishing them from the standard copper issues.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 29 cataloged varieties, White & Swann was a moderately active token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 425A-11B