(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-555C-9E, NJ

Coin Details

Auction Record

$216 MS62 10-14-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War store card from Newark, New Jersey, cataloged as Fuld 555C-9E. 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-9E) is somewhat scarce. This undated piece entered commerce during the 1862-1864 period when millions of private tokens replaced vanished federal coinage. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. 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-9E