(No Date) Civil War Store Card F-NL-5a

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card cataloged as Fuld NL-5a in the Location Unknown section. This token is cataloged as "NL" (Not Listed) in the standard Fuld Civil War Store Card reference, indicating it was identified after the reference work was published or does not fit standard catalog categories. NL pieces expand the known universe of Civil War token issues and represent ongoing numismatic research. 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. Civil War tokens circulated as emergency cent substitutes throughout the Northern states during 1862-1864, filling the gap left by hoarded federal coinage. Civil War tokens circulated freely throughout the Northern states from mid-1862 through 1864. Merchants accepted them alongside genuine federal cents, and many show heavy wear from commerce.

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-5a