(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-700E-1a, RH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card from the Fuld 700E-1a series, attributed to the unidentified issuer "RH." Cataloged in the Fuld 700 series under the Location Unknown section, this token bears the initials "RH" as its sole issuer identification. The identity of "RH" remains unconfirmed, though the prolific number of varieties indicates a die sinker or wholesale distributor rather than a retail merchant. Copper was preferred for token production because its properties matched the federal cent specification closely enough that these pieces passed freely in commerce during 1862-1864. This undated piece was produced circa 1862-1864 during the wartime coin shortage. The end of the token era came in 1864 when Congress authorized new small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production. Surviving specimens are tangible artifacts of wartime monetary history.

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 21 cataloged varieties, Frank L. Gay was a moderately active token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 700E-1a