(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-700A-2a, RH

Coin Details

Auction Record

$432 MS63BN 08-22-2021 Heritage Auctions

Description

Civil War store card from the Fuld 700A-2a series, attributed to the unidentified issuer "RH." Part of the extensive Fuld 700 "RH" series, one of the largest groups of unattributed Civil War store cards. With over 100 cataloged varieties across multiple die combinations and metals, the volume of production indicates "RH" was a die sinker, distributor, or jobber who supplied tokens in bulk. Struck in copper, the standard metal for Civil War tokens chosen because cent-sized copper pieces passed as substitute federal cents in everyday commerce. The absence of a date is common for Civil War tokens, which were produced during the 1862-1864 coin shortage era. Congress banned private token issuance in April 1864, and the introduction of fractional currency notes and new bronze two-cent pieces gradually eliminated the need for emergency tokens.

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 24 cataloged varieties, RH was a moderately active token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 700A-2a