No Date Token F-630AG-5j German-Silver PE John P. Gruber NY

Coin Details

Description

This undated Civil War era store card, cataloged as Fuld 630AG-5j, is a German silver patriotic edition token issued by John P. Gruber of New York. German silver — an alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc despite containing no actual silver — gave tokens a silvery appearance that distinguished them from the more common copper and brass issues. Gruber operated his business in New York City, the commercial capital of the Union and a major center of Civil War token production. New York merchants were among the most prolific issuers of Civil War tokens, with the city's die-sinkers producing thousands of varieties. The "j" composition suffix in the Fuld catalog specifically designates the German silver alloy, making this a less common composition variant that is prized by collectors of Civil War token die varieties.

Rarity Notes

Civil War store card, Fuld 630AG-5j. German silver patriotic edition. John P. Gruber, New York. Unusual composition. Scarce.

Cross References

PCGS #653639; Fuld 630AG-5j; John P. Gruber, NY