(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-890E-11J, NY

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card from New York, cataloged as Fuld 890E-11J. New York was the nation's commercial capital, with New York City alone producing hundreds of store card varieties from Broadway retailers to waterfront wholesalers. This german silver striking (Fuld 890E-11J) is scarce among the known varieties. The absence of a date is typical for Civil War tokens produced during the 1862-1864 emergency currency period. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Store cards circulated as emergency currency after wartime hoarding removed federal coins from commercial channels. German silver (a copper-nickel-zinc alloy) strikings are sought after for their distinctive bright appearance. Collectors classify Civil War tokens by the Fuld numbering system, which catalogs each unique die combination with rarity ratings from R-1 (over 5,000 known) to R-10 (unique).

Rarity Notes

German silver (a copper-nickel-zinc alloy) strikings are less common than copper or brass versions and are sought after for their distinctive silvery appearance. With 15 cataloged varieties, this merchant was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 890E-11J