1863 Civil War Store Card Token: S. STEINFELD FRENCH COGNAC BITTERS N. Y. - VF
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:20862985 | Modified Item: No |
| Circulated/Uncirculated: Circulated | Country/Region of Manufacture: United States |
| Exonumia Type: Tokens: Civil War |
A Civil War Store Card Token considered VF by my late father who collected it many years ago. Die break on reverse. The obverse reads S. STEINFELD SOLE AGENT FOR THE U.S." and features a large elaborate crest including a crown, flag and eagle reverse reads "PRINCIPAL DEPOT OF THE FRENCH COGNAC BITTERS 1863 70 NASSAU ST. N.Y." This was thought to be a R-1 when collected.
FULD #630BU-3A ( REVERSE SAME AS 630BU-1A)
Cooper #6091<...br>
(NY Historical Society): "During the Civil War, there were no metallic coins of any denomination in circulation. Tradesmen were thus forced to issue a medium that would save commerce. Many of these tokens depicted patriotic subjects. The irresponsible nature of these tokens forced Congress to pass an act in 1864, forbidding private individuals to issue any form of money."
(From NGC Collectors Society listing) "Simon Steinfeld was a New York City merchant who started advertising himself as the "sole importer and agent" for French Cognac Bitters in 1855. At this point Steinfeld converted his 70 Nassau Street candy and confections store into a saloon. When coins became scarce in 1862, Steinfeld ordered encased postage stamps to make change for his customers. His encasements have a lengthy pitch for French Cognac Bitters: "An unfailing remedy for diseases of the liver and digestive organs." Steinfeld also used Civil War tokens and postage envelopes, and he apparently preferred them since his encasements are extremely rare."
This is part of my late father's extensive civil war card token collection which I'll be auctioning on EBay.
Message me with any questions.
Thanks for looking.
No international shipping.
FULD #630BU-3A ( REVERSE SAME AS 630BU-1A)
Cooper #6091<...br>
(NY Historical Society): "During the Civil War, there were no metallic coins of any denomination in circulation. Tradesmen were thus forced to issue a medium that would save commerce. Many of these tokens depicted patriotic subjects. The irresponsible nature of these tokens forced Congress to pass an act in 1864, forbidding private individuals to issue any form of money."
(From NGC Collectors Society listing) "Simon Steinfeld was a New York City merchant who started advertising himself as the "sole importer and agent" for French Cognac Bitters in 1855. At this point Steinfeld converted his 70 Nassau Street candy and confections store into a saloon. When coins became scarce in 1862, Steinfeld ordered encased postage stamps to make change for his customers. His encasements have a lengthy pitch for French Cognac Bitters: "An unfailing remedy for diseases of the liver and digestive organs." Steinfeld also used Civil War tokens and postage envelopes, and he apparently preferred them since his encasements are extremely rare."
This is part of my late father's extensive civil war card token collection which I'll be auctioning on EBay.
Message me with any questions.
Thanks for looking.
No international shipping.
