(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-630AK-2C, NY

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card from New York, cataloged as Fuld 630AK-2C. New York state generated the second-largest body of Civil War token issues, concentrated in New York City but extending to Albany, Troy, Buffalo, and smaller commercial centers. The nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 630AK-2C) is scarce for this merchant. Like the majority of Civil War store cards, this token is undated, produced during the acute 1862-1864 small change crisis. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Store cards circulated as emergency currency after wartime hoarding removed federal coins from commercial channels. Nickel strikings are scarcer than copper or brass versions and have a distinctive silvery appearance. George and Melvin Fuld's catalog remains the standard reference for Civil War tokens, with each variety assigned a unique identification number.

Rarity Notes

Nickel strikings are generally scarcer than copper or brass versions, as nickel was more expensive and harder to strike. With 9 cataloged varieties, this merchant was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 630AK-2C