(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-700E-3a, RH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card from the Fuld 700E-3a series, attributed to the unidentified issuer "RH." The Fuld 700 "RH" series represents one of the most extensive unidentified issuer groups in the Civil War store card catalog. The initials "RH" appear on tokens struck in numerous die combinations and metals, suggesting commercial-scale production during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. Struck in copper, the standard metal for Civil War tokens chosen because cent-sized copper pieces passed as substitute federal cents in everyday commerce. This undated piece was produced circa 1862-1864 during the wartime coin shortage. Many Civil War tokens were produced in quantities far exceeding actual commercial need, as die sinkers and merchants recognized the speculative collecting interest that was already developing. New York City produced over half of all Civil War tokens, with additional output from Waterbury, Connecticut (center of the brass industry) and Cincinnati, Ohio.

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-3a