(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-555C-5D, NJ

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card from Newark, New Jersey, cataloged as Fuld 555C-5D. 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 copper-nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 555C-5D) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. This undated token was struck circa 1862-1864 during the wartime coin shortage. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. Merchant-issued tokens circulated as substitutes for scarce federal coinage throughout the Northern states between 1862 and 1864. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color. 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

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 38 cataloged varieties, this merchant was a moderately active token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 555C-5D