Indian Head Civil War Token

TraderGio

I was putting coins into my Indian Head Cents Album and I found a reverse for 1863 that said Merchants 40 Mohawk St Cohoes NY. Can anyone point me in the right direction to research this coins history?

Leiana

Alas, my book does not cover store cards, but rather patriotic tokens.

Your token would be a "Store Card" advertising for whatever business that was located at the address.

CWTs replaced the hoarded Cupro-nickel cents.

CWTs were produced usually in mass quantities, at a profit. In other words, the net cost for making the tokens was less than one cent a piece.

The tokens circulated in 1863 and part of 1864, when they were made illegal. Also, the change in composition and weight of the Indian Head Cent effectively destroyed the market for the tokens.

Hope this helps.

-Amanda

TraderGio

ThankYou!

Leiana

The address still exists, but it's not a business anymore I think.

-Amanda

TraderGio

What is your book? My other Civil war Tokens are:
Our Navy
1863
Our Army

God Protect the Union
1863
Thomas White Butcher
1863
Flag of our Union
1863
Wilson's Metal
1863
P.V.Fort & Company : Dealers in Fruit and Nuts"
1864
Patriotic Army & Navy
1864
Army and Navy : It must and Shall be Preserved

Leiana

Thomas White, Wilson's Metal and PV Fort are all storecards. Can't help you there.

Actually, PV Fort might be a sutler's token, but I'm just speculating.

The other ones are Patriotic Tokens, which my book covers.

However, there are a GREAT many dies and die combinations that could fit your tokens with the given discriptions.

There are special numbers called Fuld numbers that go with each die, so a particular mairrage could be Fuld 23/56 or some such number. Then, an R (rarity) value can be established. My book is way out of date for that, though.

Date and composition of the token are also important.

Hope this helps.

-Amanda

TraderGio

I think I should send them into PCGS...Would they give the Fuld numbers?

Leiana

I haven't the foggiest, sorry.

-Amanda

Gemini

Hi TraderGio your token was issued by Alden & Frink and is listed as Cohoes 140 in George and Melvin Fulds book on U.S. Civil War Storecards. It was struck in the the following metals copper- brass- bronze- nickel and white metal. One other example shows a Federal shield on the reverse with just their name above and date below with no address given. I don't know at this time what the nature of their business was. If possible post an image.

fullerfun4

Your token is designated as a Fuld 140-A-01-a, rarity 1. It is for a store by the name of "Alden & Frink".
Regards
Gary

TraderGio

<< <i>Hi TraderGio your token was issued by Alden & Frink and is listed as Cohoes 140 in George and Melvin Fulds book on U.S. Civil War Storecards. It was struck in the the following metals copper- brass- bronze- nickel and white metal. One other example shows a Federal shield on the reverse with just their name above and date below with no address given. I don't know at this time what the nature of their business was. If possible post an image. >>


Thanks
Unfortunately I'm new to the hobby and have never taken a coin picture but I'll put this on my to do list.

TraderGio

Thanks !

baddspellar

40 Mohawk St is a parking lot now. It's across the street from the Cohoes Commons shopping center in Cohoes NY. The mall was built with a high-end clothing outlet as the anchor, but it's pretty much dead now.

Cohoes was a thriving mill town at one time. It's located at the confluence of the Mohawk and Hudson rivers, and has a waterfall that rather impressive in the spring. Now it's somewhat run-down and has a lot of abandoned mills along the Mohawk river. I lived there for a few years when I was in grad school.

There's a volunteer-led historical society for Cohoes that may have information on the coin and/or merchant
http://www.timesunion.com/communities/spindlecity/

TraderGio

Thanks

cwt

You might also want to check out the website of the Civil War Token Society at www.cwtsociety.com

goose3

<< <i>I think I should send them into PCGS...Would they give the Fuld numbers? >>



NO!


NGC will though.


If you are interested in tokens and are not yet a member of the CWTS, please join....it's only 10.00/year.

TraderGio

THANKS