(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-630BR-1C, NY

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card from New York, cataloged as Fuld 630BR-1C. 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. Struck in nickel, this die combination (Fuld 630BR-1C) is scarce. Although undated, this token was produced during the 1862-1864 period when federal coins disappeared from commerce. Die sinkers offered merchants a choice of metals, with copper being cheapest and most common, while silver and gold were struck for collectors. The token era ended when Congress authorized new federal small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production in 1864. Nickel strikings are scarcer than copper or brass versions and have a distinctive silvery appearance. After Congress banned private coinage in 1864, surviving tokens became instant collectibles, with serious collecting beginning within a decade of the war's end.

Rarity Notes

Nickel strikings are generally scarcer than copper or brass versions, as nickel was more expensive and harder to strike. With 5 cataloged varieties, this merchant was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 630BR-1C