(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-630CA-1G, NY

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card from New York, cataloged as Fuld 630CA-1G. 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. Struck in gold, this die combination (Fuld 630CA-1G) is extremely rare. 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. Gold strikings are among the rarest metal variants, produced in tiny quantities for presentation purposes. 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

Gold strikings of Civil War tokens are among the rarest of all metal variants, produced in tiny quantities for presentation purposes or the collector market. With 6 cataloged varieties, this merchant was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 630CA-1G