(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-690E-2d, TN

Coin Details

Auction Record

$2,880 MS64 08-25-2021 Stack's Bowers

Description

Store card of Ni Walker & Napier in Nashville, Tennessee, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. 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. The copper-nickel composition of this variety (Fuld 690E-2d) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. Civil War tokens rarely bear dates. This piece was struck during the 1862-1864 coin shortage, when merchants needed emergency small change. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. Civil War tokens addressed a practical problem: the wartime disappearance of federal small change made daily transactions nearly impossible without private substitutes. Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce, resembling the federal Indian Head cent in both size and color.

Rarity Notes

Copper-nickel strikings are moderately scarce compared to pure copper or brass versions. With 9 cataloged varieties, Ni Walker & Napier was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 690E-2d