(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-555C-3E, NJ

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card from Newark, New Jersey, cataloged as Fuld 555C-3E. New Jersey was a vital industrial and transportation state, with Newark, Trenton, and Paterson as major manufacturing centers where merchants issued Civil War tokens. Struck in white metal, this die combination (Fuld 555C-3E) is somewhat scarce. Most Civil War store cards carry no date; this token was struck during the 1862-1864 coin shortage era. The token trade was competitive, with die sinkers in New York, Cincinnati, and other cities vying for merchant orders across the region. The token era ended when Congress authorized new federal small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production in 1864. White metal strikings are less common than copper or brass and show more wear due to the soft alloy. Over 25 million Civil War tokens were produced before Congress ended private coinage in April 1864, making them the largest private coinage movement in American history.

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 38 cataloged varieties, this merchant was a moderately active token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 555C-3E