(No Date) White Metal Civil War Store Card F-630U-1e, Carl Diem, Lg. Planchet NY

Coin Details

Description

This Civil War token was issued by Carl Diem, Lg. Planchet in New York. 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. This white metal striking (Fuld 630U-1e) is somewhat scarce among the known varieties. 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. 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 8 cataloged varieties, Carl Diem, Lg. Planchet was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 630U-1e