(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-555B-1F, NJ

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by Charles Kolb of Newark, New Jersey. New Jersey was a vital industrial and transportation state, with Newark, Trenton, and Paterson as major manufacturing centers where merchants issued Civil War tokens. Charles Kolb issued 7 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in silver, this die combination (Fuld 555B-1F) is rare. The absence of a date is typical for Civil War tokens produced during the 1862-1864 emergency currency period. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. 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. Silver strikings are considerably scarcer than base metal versions, typically produced as presentation or collector pieces.

Rarity Notes

Silver strikings are considerably scarcer than base metal versions, typically produced in small quantities for collectors or as special presentation pieces. With 7 cataloged varieties, Charles Kolb was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 555B-1F