1863 THOMAS WHITE BUTCHER – NEW YORK CIVIL WAR TOKEN - AU
A fascinating piece of American Civil War history! This 1863 Thomas White Butcher token is a New York City merchant store card dating to the Civil War era.
The obverse features an Indian Head design with the inscription:
THOMAS WHITE
1863
The reverse identifies the business:
BUTCHER
No. 13 & 14
ABATTOIR PLACE
WEST 39th ST. N-Y
Thomas White operated as a butcher at 13 & 14 Abattoir Place in New York City. Abattoir Place was associated with New York's meat-processing district during the 19th century, making this token a tangible connection to the city's commercial history during the Civil War.
Civil War merchant tokens, commonly called Civil War Store Cards, were privately issued pieces used by merchants for advertising and, in some cases, as small-denomination substitutes during the coin shortage of the 1860s. The shortage became particularly severe during the Civil War, when Americans hoarded gold, silver, and even copper coins.
This piece is cataloged as Fuld-NY-630CH-1a in the standard reference for U.S. Civil War Store Cards.
Token Details:
Year: 1863
Issuer: Thomas White
Business: Butcher
Location: New York City, New York
Address: 13 & 14 Abattoir Place, West 39th Street
Type: Civil War Merchant Token / Store Card
Metal: Copper
Diameter: Approximately 19 mm
Reference: Fuld-NY-630CH-1a
Historical Significance:
Unlike a regular U.S. coin, this token tells the story of a specific merchant and location during one of the most important periods in American history. It combines Civil War history, New York City commercial history, and early American token collecting in one small piece.
An excellent addition for collectors of Civil War tokens, New York history, merchant tokens, exonumia, or 19th-century American collectibles.
The token pictured is the actual piece you will receive. Please examine all photographs carefully for condition, color, surfaces, lettering, and overall detail.
