(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-630T-1E, NY

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card from New York, cataloged as Fuld 630T-1E. 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 white metal, this die combination (Fuld 630T-1E) is somewhat scarce. 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 hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. White metal (a tin-based alloy) pieces are scarcer than copper and often show significant wear from their soft composition. Civil War store cards are collected both as numismatic items and as historical documents of wartime American commerce.

Rarity Notes

White metal (tin alloy) strikings are less common than copper or brass versions and tend to show more wear due to the softness of the alloy. With 7 cataloged varieties, this merchant was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 630T-1E