(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-640B-2A, KY

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by N'PT & COV of Newport, Kentucky. Kentucky was a critical border state maintaining Union loyalty while deeply divided. Louisville served as a major supply depot and source of merchant tokens. N'PT & COV issued 7 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 640B-2A) is common. Most Civil War store cards carry no date; this token was struck during the 1862-1864 coin shortage era. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Federal coinage vanished from circulation after 1861 as citizens hoarded silver and copper for their metal value, leaving merchants to fill the void with tokens. 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

Copper strikings are generally the most common metal variant for Civil War store cards, as copper was the standard planchet material mimicking the federal cent. With 7 cataloged varieties, N'PT & COV was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 640B-2A