(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-95F-4C, NY

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card from New York, cataloged as Fuld 95F-4C. New York state generated the second-largest body of Civil War token issues, concentrated in New York City but extending to Albany, Troy, Buffalo, and smaller commercial centers. Struck in nickel, this die combination (Fuld 95F-4C) is scarce. Like the majority of Civil War store cards, this token is undated, produced during the acute 1862-1864 small change crisis. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Federal coinage vanished from circulation after 1861 as citizens hoarded silver and copper for their metal value, leaving merchants to fill the void with tokens. Pure nickel pieces are harder to strike than copper, contributing to their relative scarcity. George and Melvin Fuld's catalog remains the standard reference for Civil War tokens, with each variety assigned a unique identification number.

Rarity Notes

Nickel strikings are generally scarcer than copper or brass versions, as nickel was more expensive and harder to strike. With 13 cataloged varieties, this merchant was a notable token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 95F-4C