(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-425A-2D, AL

Coin Details

Description

Store card of White & Swann in Huntsville, Alabama, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. 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. The copper-nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 425A-2D) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. Like the majority of Civil War store cards, this token is undated, produced during the acute 1862-1864 small change crisis. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Congress banned private token issuance in April 1864, but before that, tokens like this one circulated freely as cent substitutes in Northern 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 29 cataloged varieties, White & Swann was a moderately active token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 425A-2D