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

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card from the Fuld 700F-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. This undated piece was produced circa 1862-1864 during the wartime coin shortage. Token production peaked in 1863 when the coin shortage was most acute. Americans had hoarded federal coins since the suspension of specie payments in December 1861. 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

Nickel strikings are generally scarcer than copper or brass versions, as nickel was more expensive and harder to strike. With 5 cataloged varieties, RH was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 700F-2c