(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-700E-2c, RH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card from the Fuld 700E-2c series, attributed to the unidentified issuer "RH." Assigned to the Fuld 700 "RH" series, a large group of Civil War store cards whose issuer remains unidentified. The scope of the series — spanning many die pairings and metal variants — points to a professional token manufacturer rather than an individual retail merchant. Struck in nickel, an uncommon composition that is scarcer than copper or brass versions. Although undated, this token was manufactured during the 1862-1864 period when private tokens circulated as emergency currency. The coin shortage was exacerbated by the simultaneous withdrawal of gold and silver from circulation following the suspension of specie payments in December 1861. 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

Nickel strikings are generally scarcer than copper or brass versions, as nickel was more expensive and harder to strike. With 21 cataloged varieties, Frank L. Gay was a moderately active token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 700E-2c