(No Date) White Metal Civil War Store Card F-130A-1e, Andrew King TN

Coin Details

Description

Store card of Ni Andrew King in Clarksvill, Tennessee, struck during the 1862-1864 token era. Tennessee was divided during the Civil War. Nashville fell to Union forces in 1862, and merchants in Union-controlled areas issued tokens as emergency small change. Ni Andrew King issued 9 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. The white metal composition of this variety (Fuld 130A-1e) is somewhat scarce for this merchant. Undated Civil War tokens like this one circulated alongside dated issues during the 1862-1864 period. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Merchant-issued tokens circulated as substitutes for scarce federal coinage throughout the Northern states between 1862 and 1864. White metal (a tin-based alloy) pieces are scarcer than copper and often show significant wear from their soft composition.

Rarity Notes

White metal (tin alloy) strikings are less common than copper or brass versions and tend to show more wear due to the softness of the alloy. With 9 cataloged varieties, Ni Andrew King was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 130A-1e