(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-690E-1a, TN

Coin Details

Description

Merchant token from Ni Walker & Napier of Nashville, Tennessee, cataloged as Fuld 690E-1a. Nashville fell to Union forces in February 1862 and served as a critical supply base for the remainder of the war. Merchant tokens from Nashville date to the Union occupation period. Ni Walker & Napier issued 9 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper striking (Fuld 690E-1a) is common among the known varieties. The absence of a date is typical for Civil War tokens produced during the 1862-1864 emergency currency period. 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. George and Melvin Fuld's catalog remains the standard reference for Civil War tokens, with each variety assigned a unique identification number.

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 9 cataloged varieties, Ni Walker & Napier was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 690E-1a