(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-NL-39a

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card cataloged as Fuld NL-39a in the Location Unknown section. This token carries an "NL" (Not Listed) Fuld designation, placing it outside the standard catalog framework. Not Listed tokens are often later discoveries that expand collectors' understanding of the scope of Civil War-era token production. The copper composition ensured this token closely matched the weight, size, and color of federal Indian Head cents, facilitating acceptance in daily transactions. Although undated, this token was manufactured during the 1862-1864 period when private tokens circulated as emergency currency. Private tokens filled the currency vacuum created when Americans hoarded federal coins after the suspension of specie payments in December 1861. 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 1 cataloged varieties, this merchant was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld NL-39a