(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-425A-8D, AL

Coin Details

Description

White & Swann, based in Huntsville, Alabama, produced this token as a cent substitute during the wartime coin shortage. 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. This copper-nickel striking (Fuld 425A-8D) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. The absence of a date on this token is standard for the 1862-1864 era, when speed of production mattered more than formality. Token production was a specialized trade — die sinkers maintained catalogs of stock dies that merchants could pair with custom obverses. Federal coinage vanished from circulation after 1861 as citizens hoarded silver and copper for their metal value, leaving merchants to fill the void with tokens. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color.

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-8D