(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-630BP-2h, Hard Rubber S.H. Scripture NY

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by Hard Rubber S.H. Scripture of New York. 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 lead composition of this variety (Fuld 630BP-2h) is scarce for this merchant. Most Civil War store cards carry no date; this token was struck during the 1862-1864 coin shortage era. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. The Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. Lead examples are rare survivors, as the soft metal is easily damaged and many pieces were discarded. The cent-sized format was chosen deliberately to match the federal Indian Head cent, the coin most conspicuously absent from daily commerce.

Rarity Notes

Lead strikings are uncommon, likely produced as trial pieces or die tests rather than for commercial circulation. With 2 cataloged varieties, Hard Rubber S.H. Scripture was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 630BP-2h