(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-555C-4E, NJ

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card from Newark, New Jersey, cataloged as Fuld 555C-4E. New Jersey was a vital industrial and transportation state, with Newark, Trenton, and Paterson as major manufacturing centers where merchants issued Civil War tokens. The white metal composition of this variety (Fuld 555C-4E) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. Civil War tokens rarely bear dates. This piece was struck during the 1862-1864 coin shortage, when merchants needed emergency small change. Each unique combination of obverse and reverse dies constitutes a separate Fuld catalog number, even when struck in the same metal. 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-4E