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Need Help Identifying this Civil War Token/Store Card
kookoox10
Posts: 538 ✭✭✭
Hey guys.
A local dealer called me and told me he received some new civil war tokens from a collector here in town. Out of the 30 or so that I could identify, this particular store card popped out at me. It wasn't the highest grade example in the mix, but it was interesting enough that I paid the cost of a large pizza to own it. From what I do know, it's an 1863 Merriam & Co. Boston, MA, on the obverse there is what appears to be a lizard/salamander along with the merchant's address. And on the reverse, there is a portrait of a dog with the inscription "Good for a Scent". I've tried looking through my Rulau tokens catalog but couldn't source it in there and the internet is coming up short of information.
Anyone know the Fuld number, along with a bit more history and what an estimate of how much it would go for in the open market? It's a compelling, yet mysterious addition to my Civil War token memorabilia.
A local dealer called me and told me he received some new civil war tokens from a collector here in town. Out of the 30 or so that I could identify, this particular store card popped out at me. It wasn't the highest grade example in the mix, but it was interesting enough that I paid the cost of a large pizza to own it. From what I do know, it's an 1863 Merriam & Co. Boston, MA, on the obverse there is what appears to be a lizard/salamander along with the merchant's address. And on the reverse, there is a portrait of a dog with the inscription "Good for a Scent". I've tried looking through my Rulau tokens catalog but couldn't source it in there and the internet is coming up short of information.
Anyone know the Fuld number, along with a bit more history and what an estimate of how much it would go for in the open market? It's a compelling, yet mysterious addition to my Civil War token memorabilia.
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looks like you have a possible answer here
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<< <i>.
looks like you have a possible answer here
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Thanks Lance, I just saw that copy and paste from Heritage a second ago. The only thing I'm questioning is that the info is referencing this card as being used in Virginia when this is actually used by a merchant in Massachusetts. Just trying to obtain a wide variety of opinions.
This obverse is more commonly found with the Merriam store card reverse, but is sometimes found with the Salamander Press reverse. Currently there are somewhere around 15 known of this die variety. The variety is Fuld MA 115D-2b.
The reason for the Virginia reference, is that there is a token from Norfolk, VA that uses the Good For A Scent die with a merchant from VA reverse. It is possible that this piece was made later than the Civil War (1866-1870) after it was stopped being used by Merriam. It is a very scarce token when found with the Virginia reverse, and is always found in low grade.
The piece that you have is from Massachusetts and was produced by Merriam, and is not the same piece that is being described in the Heritage description that was posted on the other forum. Also, just so you know, this token is worth MUCH more than a large pizza! 40-50 times more in fact, at a minimum I would think in that condition. If it were in UNC condition for example, you would be talking 500 times that large pizza or more!
Here is my collection example for reference.
And btw, that is an exceptional example you possess.
<< <i>Thanks NER for the thorough history on the card, I'm a little shocked at the rarity you pointed out. The token is of course a little worn. The crud/verdigris is soft on the coin and a little "conservation" job might do it some good. Would if be worthwhile sending this out to get graded?
And btw, that is an exceptional example you possess. >>
It is possible that conservation could help it a bit, but all but 2-3 of them are in brass (I think yours is probably brass, but it is hard to tell from the picture as these tend to look copperish when struck in brass in that grade, and it may possibly look worse after being conserved. I tend to not like the conservation route, but I know others may have different opinions on what is the best idea.
Regarding grading, it most likely would come back in a genuine holder if it were graded, but that could help the value as it is a very scarce token that is quite popular. I certainly do not think it will hurt that coin if we are talking about resale value, but a specialist in the series would possibly want the coin in raw form for their collection anyway.
I should add that there are only two UNC examples of this token known to my knowledge, and most of the known population are in very similar condition to yours. A VF example is actually a lofty grade for this type.
how about some acetone to help neutralize any crap on the surfaces? haven't heard much about acetone and brass.
of course unless a rose thorn and a weekend of quiet is a better route
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<< <i>.
how about some acetone to help neutralize any crap on the surfaces? haven't heard much about acetone and brass.
of course unless a rose thorn and a weekend of quiet is a better route
. >>
That's an idea, but I know acetone has some funky effects on copper as far as unnatural toning. I've experimented on some XF/AU common date Indian Heads to know first hand, the after effects. I am in the dark on how it will effect brass.
<< <i>I'm not an advocate of conservation/cleaning by any means. I'm just spitballing ideas for making sure the token looks as good as it can get. Just for comparison, do you have a general idea of how many of the other more common Mass. Merriam variant exist? >>
I know you werent advocating cleaning of course, I just meant I am really not knowledgable if acetone or something would hurt brass, I never really hear anyone doing it, so Im sure someone else can chime in regarding the possibility of removing some of the gunk that is sitting on the surface. I just didnt want to lead you the wrong way.
Regarding the more common die pairing, it is known struck in copper, brass, copper nickel and zinc. Most commonly it is found in copper and I would guess there are about 100-150 known in various grades struck in copper. (Maybe 25 or so known total in the other metals) It is a token that can be found in high grade (UNC) with some patience. They don't tend to stay on the market very long as they are really popular and as such I dont see them nearly as often as other tokens of the same rarity.
Here is a picture of mine so you can see the more common reverse.
<< <i>That's an idea, but I know acetone has some funky effects on copper as far as unnatural toning. I've experimented on some XF/AU common date Indian Heads to know first hand, the after effects. I am in the dark on how it will effect brass. >>
i understand i was just throwing it out there no so much to make the coin better but to prevent it from getting worse in case brass is subject to pvc, corrosion etc.
especially in the instances of rare items, we need to keep then in good order if at all possible
in any event, congratz and thanks for sharing!
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<< <i>
<< <i>That's an idea, but I know acetone has some funky effects on copper as far as unnatural toning. I've experimented on some XF/AU common date Indian Heads to know first hand, the after effects. I am in the dark on how it will effect brass. >>
i understand i was just throwing it out there no so much to make the coin better but to prevent it from getting worse in case brass is subject to pvc, corrosion etc.
especially in the instances of rare items, we need to keep then in good order if at all possible
in any event, congratz and thanks for sharing!
. >>
No problem at all. I'm actually curious, I have some problem 1863 Indian Head Cents I will experiment on with some acetone, hot running water and maybe some verdi-care to test the reaction to the 88%copper/12%nickel mixture for brass. In any case, I'll probably retain the original look of the token so I don't do any harm to the original skin. Thank you gentlemen for all great information, this has made my night!
Thanks for sharing!
Great pick-up by the way for what you paid!
<< <i>Nothing like seeing a lizard on a lily pad supported by a spring reading a book with a pancake on his head to make you hungry for breakfast!
Great pick-up by the way for what you paid!
Is that a pancake on his head? Lol, no wonder my stomach was growling. Thanks for the compliment.
<< <i>Go back and buy the rest of the group, quick!
I might just have to do that, they're a bunch of common R-1 and R-2 tokens. But it will grow my civil war exo group substantially.
Always more to know!
On the higher-grade example posted, I can see he's spring-loaded, like some kind of bizarre stapler (though staplers as such hadn't been invented, yet). Or some kind of seal-stamping device? Interesting.
Nice cherrypick!
Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.
<< <i>Nothing like seeing a lizard on a lily pad supported by a spring reading a book with a pancake on his head to make you hungry for breakfast!
>>
lol
on another note
can't say i'd turn down the opportunity to buy one period made from wrought iron
.
This is the most colorful of the three Merriam & Co. Civil War tokens. All of them are rare, and the salamander piece is actually the most common. At one time I had them all, but I sold the white metal piece, which is the rarest, when I moved to Florida and partially broke up my New England CWT collection. It is a fairly scruffy looking VF. BTW, New England Rarities, I never knew that there was a salamander token that is as nice as the piece you posted. Congratulations! Here are the two pieces I have left.
<< <i>The salamander on this piece was actually one of a number brand names that Merriam & Co. used for their products which were embossing presses. I forget all of them but one was toad perhaps frog ... whatever. The salamander was the only critter that made it on a token.
This is the most colorful of the three Merriam & Co. Civil War tokens. All of them are rare, and the salamander piece is actually the most common. At one time I had them all, but I sold the white metal piece, which is the rarest, when I moved to Florida and partially broke up my New England CWT collection. It is a fairly scruffy looking VF. BTW, New England Rarities, I never knew that there was a salamander token that is as nice as the piece you posted. Congratulations! >>
Thanks Bill,
I think it's probably the finest known for the variety, but I do know of one other UNC that I have not seen in person described as very similar. Mine came through Steve Hayden at last years FUN convention. It previously was in an old time collection that Steve had been trying to buy for years. I consider myself very lucky to have acquired it!
<< <i>So what's up with that frog-lizard-gila monster critter? On the token in the OP, it looked like a salamander sandwich!
On the higher-grade example posted, I can see he's spring-loaded, like some kind of bizarre stapler (though staplers as such hadn't been invented, yet). Or some kind of seal-stamping device? Interesting.
Nice cherrypick!
I think the Salamander sandwhich looks delicious, a little cholula sauce on there and you've got the taste of the Americas represented!
Thanks LM for the comments!