Subject: Store Cards

Copper Civil War store card token. The obverse depicts the City Hall of New York City, and the reverse shows an American eagle. The token was found at the corner of Maiden Lane and Williams Street. The token is associated with U.S. Civil War cards by Fuld, but is not listed in their catalog. Date: circa 1865.

Store token from A. & H. Alschuler, men's clothiers, issued in Ottawa, Illinois during the American Civil War (1861-1865). The card is dated circa 1863. This item, Fuld-660A-2a, R.3, is graded AU55 NGC. It is from the Donald G. Partrick Collection. Simon Alschuler, the younger brother and sometimes partner of Samuel D. Alschuler in Chicago, was primarily involved in the family's Ottawa clothing business. Tax assessments suggest he was also a photographer in Ottawa from 1862 to 1865. Some sources attribute to him photographs of the 1871 Chicago fire, although it was more likely his brother Samuel.

Copper Civil War store token depicting an American eagle with flags. The token features the inscription "SOLE AGENT FOR THE U. S.; 'PRINCIPAL DEPOT OF FRENCH COGNAC BITTERS...70 NASSAU ST.'" and beading on the reverse. Issued during the Civil War when there were no metallic coins in circulation, forcing tradesmen to issue tokens to facilitate commerce. Many such tokens depicted patriotic subjects. The irresponsible nature of these tokens led Congress to pass an act in 1864 prohibiting private individuals from issuing money. Fuld number: 630BU.3A; Rarity: R1. Issued circa 1863.

Civil War store token issued by H. Lazeress, a dealer in rags and metals, located at 26 15th Street. The token features an Indian Head Penny on the reverse. Issued during the Civil War (1861-1865), when a lack of metallic currency in circulation necessitated the issuance of privately-produced tokens for commerce. The irresponsible use of these tokens led to Congressional action in 1864 prohibiting private issuance of currency. Copper; FULD 165DC.2A; RARITY R2.

Copper Civil War store card token issued by Freedman & Goodkind, a dry goods and millinery store located at 171 Lake Street in Chicago, Illinois. The token depicts a head of Liberty and is dated 1861. According to the Fuld catalog (150V.2A), it has a rarity rating of R3. The token's description indicates that it is made of copper.

Copper Civil War store card token issued by Freedman & Goodkind, a dry goods and millinery store located at 171 Lake Street in Chicago, Illinois. The token depicts a head of Liberty and is dated 1861. The description also notes the presence of markings indicating "FULD" and other unclear markings. The token's provenance is from the Fuld Collection.

Civil War-era store card issued by Hoffman & Levy, Merchant Tailors, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The front of the token depicts the business name, while the back features a winged Apollo. The token's design and use are indicative of the economic conditions and commercial practices during the American Civil War. The date of issuance is approximated to 1863 based on the context of the Civil War.

Civil War store token featuring an Indian Head Penny (1863) on the obverse and "Dry Goods 280 Main Street" on the reverse. Issued during the Civil War when metallic coins were scarce, necessitating the use of privately issued tokens to facilitate trade. Many such tokens depicted patriotic imagery. The irresponsible issuance of these tokens led Congress to pass an act in 1864 prohibiting private individuals from issuing currency. The token is described as having a rarity rating of R3, according to the Fuld system of Civil War tokens. The token's geographic location is indicated by the address '280 Main Street'.

Civil War-era store token issued by J & S Stein's dry goods store located at 177 Lake Street, Chicago, Illinois. The token's obverse features the word "LIBERTY" and the date 1863. The reverse indicates "DRY GOODS STORE" and the address. The token is dated 1863.

Civil War-era store card token. The obverse depicts General McClellan. The reverse reads "J. Mahnken...19 & 22 West Street...Liquor & Segars." The token is identified as "RARITY #2 NY630AT.1a." Dated circa 1863. Found in New York City.

Zinc Civil War store card issued by Moritz, Bro. & Co., clothiers in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1863. The front of the token features the company name and description. The back displays an Indian head. The token is described as very rare, with only 2 to 4 in existence.

Civil War-era store token from Detroit, Michigan. The front displays "S. COHEN CLOTHING DEALER 155 JEFFERSON AV." The reverse shows "FULD 225Q.2A." The token is described as having an Indian head on the back and is rated R8 for rarity. The token's date is estimated to be circa 1863.

Civil War-era store token issued by S. Cohen, a clothing dealer located at 155 Jefferson Avenue in Detroit, Michigan. The token's obverse features an Indian head and the text "S. COHEN CLOTHING DEALER 155 JEFFERSON AV." The reverse displays the markings "; ;MI225Q.1a R.5". The approximate date of issue is January 1, 1863.

Civil War-era store token issued by S. Meir & Co., a dry goods and clothes merchant. The reverse side features the inscription "S. MEIR & CO. DRY GOODS & CLOTHES"; the obverse displays "LIBERTY". The token dates from 1863. This token is part of the O collection in Ms. Coll. 1410, OOS Box 4, Pouch 3.

Civil War-era store token issued by L. Schneider of Cincinnati, Ohio in 1863. The token features an Indian head on the reverse. The token's obverse displays the address 557 Walnut Street. Further research is needed to ascertain additional details about this token. The token is part of the Ms. Coll. 1410 collection, housed in OOS Box 4, Pouch 3.

Copper Civil War store token issued by S. Steinfeld in New York City in 1863. The token depicts an American eagle with flags and identifies Steinfeld as the "sole agent in the U.S." for French Cognac Bitters, with a principal depot at 70 Nassau Street. Note that the date 1863 is not present on the token itself, unlike other similar tokens.

Silver-plated copper store token for H. Lazaress, issued in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1863. The token served as an advertisement for the business and likely functioned as a form of currency during the Civil War.

Brass sutler token issued by L. Goldheim, a sutler for the 1st Virginia Cavalry during the American Civil War. The obverse reads "L. GOLDHEIM 1ST VIRGINA CALV. .25", and the reverse depicts an eagle. This token served as small change for soldiers, addressing a shortage of small denominations during the war. The token is identified as RARITY #8 SCH VA A 25B in David Schenkman's work on Civil War sutler tokens and cardboard script.

Store token issued by N. Mendal Shafer, located at 57 3rd Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. The token's reverse depicts "THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, A NATIONAL CURRENCY AND; HUMAN RIGHTS." Issued during the Civil War when metallic coins were scarce, this token, along with others like it, was a temporary solution to facilitate trade before Congress passed an act in 1864 forbidding private issuance of currency. Shafer practiced law in Cincinnati for several years before relocating to New York City.