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

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card from New York, cataloged as Fuld 630BZ-1C. New York was the nation's commercial capital, with New York City alone producing hundreds of store card varieties from Broadway retailers to waterfront wholesalers. The nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 630BZ-1C) is 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. The Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. Nickel strikings are scarcer than copper or brass versions and have a distinctive silvery appearance. The Fuld catalog documents thousands of distinct die combinations for Civil War store cards, making this one of the most complex series in American numismatics.

Rarity Notes

Nickel strikings are generally scarcer than copper or brass versions, as nickel was more expensive and harder to strike. With 25 cataloged varieties, this merchant was a moderately active token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 630BZ-1C