(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-460A-3e, WI

Coin Details

Description

Merchant token from E. Wirth of Mayfield, Wisconsin, cataloged as Fuld 460A-3e. Wisconsin was a growing frontier state with Milwaukee as its largest commercial center, and its merchants issued tokens as practical solutions to the coin shortage. The 10 cataloged varieties for E. Wirth indicate a notable level of token production. This white metal striking (Fuld 460A-3e) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. This undated token was struck circa 1862-1864 during the wartime coin shortage. Many Civil War tokens share common reverse dies, as die sinkers paired merchant-specific obverses with stock patriotic or advertising reverses. Store cards circulated as emergency currency after wartime hoarding removed federal coins from commercial channels. White metal strikings are less common than copper or brass and show more wear due to the soft alloy.

Rarity Notes

White metal (tin alloy) strikings are less common than copper or brass versions and tend to show more wear due to the softness of the alloy. With 10 cataloged varieties, E. Wirth was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 460A-3e