Civil War Token Journal
Spring 2014 Volume 48 Number 1
Dr. George j. Fuld
(1932-2013)
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THE CIVIL WAR TOKEN JOURNAL is produced by the Civil War Token Society to help stimulate and maintain interest in the field of Civil War token collecting. The society is strictly a non-profit organization. The Journal is published quarterly: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Single copy price is $3.50. Membership in the CWTS is $15 per year, payable in advance, and includes a subscription to the Journal.
CIVIL WAR TOKEN SOCIETY OFFICERS
President
Scott Blickensderfer P.O. Box 1732 Mishawaka, IN 46546 (574) 273-2670
Treasurer
Tom Reed 1 2348 State Rte. 34 Bryan, OH 43506 (419) 633-1927
Vice President
Susan Trask P.O. Box 2053 Sisters, OR 97759 (541) 549-8022
Secretary
John Ostendorf 523 Hiwasee Rd. Waxahachie, TX 75165 (972) 921-8819
Past President
Ernie Latter P.O. Box 1 Mulberry, FL 33860 (863) 425-2046
Editor
Susan Trask P.O. Box 2053 Sisters, OR 97759 (541) 549-8022
Alan Bleviss 8338 E. Edward Ave. Scottsdale, AZ 85250 (480)998-1039 (2013-2014)
Mark Gatcha
6603 Jupiter Hills Cir. Apt. E Alexandria, VA 22312 (703) 642-6213 (2014-2015)
Jud Petrie P.O. Box 22 Belfast. ME 04915 (207) 930-3647 (2014-2015)
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Larry Dziubek P.O. Box 235
Connoquenessing, PA 16027 (724) 789-7372 (2013-2014)
Chris Karstedt P.O. Box 1804 Wolfeboro, NH 03894 (603) 569-0823 (2013-2014)
Patrick Flannery 186 Wakulat Lane Traverse City, Ml 49686 (269) 352-1196 (2014-2015)
Bill Luitje
2677 Wayside Dr. Ann Arbor, Ml 48103 (734) 769-7820 (2014-2015)
Dave Snider 800 E. Simpson St. Lafayette, CO 80026 (720) 890-0781 (2013-2014)
OTHER CWTS OFFICERS
Publicity
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Legal Counsel
A. Ronald Sirna, Jr. 703 E. Court St. Flint, Ml 48503 (810) 577-6826
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Bill Luitje
2677 Wayside Dr. Ann Arbor, Ml 48103 (734) 769-7820
Publisher
Scott Blickensderfer P.O. Box 1732 Mishawaka, IN 46546 (574) 273-2670
Verification
Dave Snider 800 E, Simpson St. Lafayette, CO 80026 (720) 890-0781
Book Manager
Rick Snow - Eagle Eye P.O. Box 32891 Tucson, AZ 85751 (520)498-4615
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PUBLICATION DEADLINES
Issues Spring No. 1 Summer No. 2 Fall No. 3 Winter No. 4
Advertising & Editorial
December 10 March 10 June 10 September 10
Publication Date
March 1 June 1 September 1 December 1
Copyright 2014 Civil War Token Society
CWTS Email Contacts
Officers:
President: Scott Blickensderfer - docsblick@hotmail.com Past President: Ernie Latter - ernster4@aol.com Vice President: Susan Trask - susantrask@mindspring.com Secretary: John Ostendorf -johnoste@aircanopy.net Treasurer: Tom Reed -jbbnr67@gmail.com
Board of Governors:
Alan Bleviss - alanbleviss@gmail.com Larry Dziubek - lcdziubek@zoominternet.net Pat Llannery - p-flannery@sbcglobal.net Mark Gatcha - mgatcha@hotmail.com Chris Karstedt - CKarstedt@StacksBowers.com Bill Luitje - wvluitje@gmail.com Jud Petrie - exonumist@aol.com Dave Snider - fdsnide@gmail.com
Other Officers:
Auction Manager: Dan Moore - working.man@usa.net Book Manager: Rick Snow - rick@indiancent.com Computer Liaison: Bill Luitje - wvluitje@gmail.com Editor: Susan Trask - susantrask@mindspring.com Internet Coordinator: Ernie Latter - ernster4@aol.com Legal Counsel: A. Ronald Sirna, Jr. - rsirna@gmail.com Librarian: Don Shawhan - laurieloushoes@milwpc.com Publicity: Cindy Wibker - cwibker@aol.com Publisher: Scott Blickensderfer - docsblick@hotmail.com Verification: Dave Snider - fdsnide@gmail.com
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Civil War Token Journal
State of the Union
Welcome to the Spring 2014 Festschrift issue of the Journal, which honors the memory of the late Dr. George J. Fuld. A Festschrift is a celebration of the life and writings of literary giants. For us, none is greater than the father and son team of Melvin and George Fuld. The recent passing of George has closed the initial chapter in our history, and gives hope that the rest of us will take up the mantle of responsibility and research started nearly three generations ago by the Fulds. Having never met Dr. Fuld, 1 defer to those who knew this great man for the memorials and remembrances contained here.
Spring traditionally has been the time of year for all humans to look forward to rebirth, change, and hope for a better future. This issue demonstrates some of these changes and activities taking place for your Society at the Officer and Board level. After many years of faithful (and tireless) service, Don Erlenkotter has retired as Editor of the Journal. He is Guest Editor for this issue, and his service to the Society is unparalleled. Susan Trask has graciously offered to step in as Editor, and I will become Publisher. This issue will also see some format changes; hopefully you will like what you see. Susan has been the CWTS Treasurer for many years. To reduce some of her workload, our Vice President, Tom Reed, has agreed to become our new Treasurer, and Susan will take over the position of Vice President. And, following the recent elections for the Board of Governors, we are pleased to have returning members Bill Luitje and Jud Petrie, and welcome new members Pat Flannery and Mark Gatcha. We look forward to their input.
We have a new Twitter account. Follow us now @CWTSociety. We also have a new Web site, www.CWTSociety.org. This is in keeping with our status as a non-profit educational organization. We need people interested in developing our websites into more robust and dynamic places to visit. Those with interests in technology, including our Junior Members, are encouraged to step up and work on this. It is a great way to meet our members, and attract interest in the Society.
My best wishes to all for a prosperous and fruitful New Year!
Scott Blickensderfer President
Spring 2014
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Dr. George J. Fuld
(1932-2013)
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Civil War Token Journal
3n jfHemorp of 5ir. #eorge 3- Jfultt
George Joseph Fold was born on November 8, 1932 in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of Melvin Fuld. He passed away on October 19, 2013 in Baltimore City, Maryland at the age of 80 years. George, together with his father Melvin, brought the collecting of Civil War tokens into the modern age, beginning with the publication of “Patriotic Civil War Tokens” in The Numismatic Scrapbook Magazine in 1958-59, followed by its publication in book form by Whitman Publishing in 1960. Under the Civil War Token Society, it is now in a 2005 Fifth Revised Edition. Their book A Guide to Civil War Store Card Tokens was published in 1962, also by Whitman. This was expanded in 1972 into the book V.S. Civil War Store Cards, with a second edition in 1975 and a third edition nearing publication.
George was educated at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, graduating in 1953 in general science with a physics major and continuing there in biochemical engineering, receiving his Sc.D. in 1956. He then joined the MIT faculty and was an assistant professor of food engineering until he joined the family business, Fuld Bros., in 1960. In 1962 he took a position as head of radiation research at Goodyear Tire and Rubber in Akron, Ohio. He was elected to Outstanding Young Men in America in 1965. After a couple of years with firms in the medical field, in 1970 he and his wife Doris founded Dorge Approvals in Baltimore. Their firm conducted auctions and sales of stamps and coins, mostly in exonumia, and continued through 1977.
When he was ten years old, George received a cent folder as a gift from a relative, and this launched his interest in numismatics. His father also became interested, and in 1947 they attended their first ANA convention. There they were captivated by an exhibit of Civil War tokens. Within a few years they had purchased several large token collections. One of these was the Stuart Mosher collection. Mosher, who was then the curator of the Smithsonian Institution and editor of The Numismatist, sold them his collection with the proviso that they write a monthly column for the magazine. Thus began “The Token Collector’s Page” in 1948.
The Fulds’ first article in The Numismatist was “Dix Civil War Tokens of 1863,” which appeared in the June 1951 issue. This was reprinted in the Winter 1 967 issue of The Journal of the Civil War Token Society, and so became their first article in our journal as well. Their second major article in the JCWTS was “The Wealth of the South Mulings,” in the Winter 1970 issue. It was reprinted from the September 1958 issue of The Numismatic Scrapbook Magazine. George’s most recent paper in the CWTJ is “Civil War Money Problems,” which is in the Winter 2012 issue. Thus his record of published articles on Civil War tokens spans a period of more than sixty years.
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Besides his work on Civil War tokens, George had a broad interest in exonumia and all phases of Americana. Together with Russell Rulau, he contributed the book Medallic Portraits of Washington, published in 1985 as an update of W. S. Baker’s 1885 book. Their book received an award from the Numismatic Literary Guild. George also contributed studies on Indian peace medals, Franklin medals, antislavery tokens, calendar tokens, and game counters.
In the early 1980s George was auction manager at Bowers and Ruddy in Los Angeles and later head of their Americana Department. He then became senior numismatist and director of consignments at Kagin’s in San Francisco. He received or shared two NLG awards for best catalogs during this period. In 1989 he was appointed vice president and director of auctions at Pacific Coast Auction Galleries.
George became CWTS charter member #8 in March 1967, and was a founding member of the Board of Governors. He received a special service award from the Society in 1980, and was awarded honorary membership status in 1985. He was the first inductee into the CWTS Hall of Fame when it was established in 2002. George was also the founding president of TAMS during 1960-1962 and the first editor of the TAMS Journal in the same period. Among his other awards, he received the ANA Medal of Merit in 1961, live Heath Literary Awards, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the ANA in 2002. He was inducted into the ana’s Numismatic Hall of Fame in 2008. The Numismatic Bibliomania Society recognized him in 1993 with its Armand Champa Award, and in 2004 he received the Carl Carlson Award from the Medal Collectors of America.
We would like to thank Coin World and The Numismatist for providing the photographs appearing here, and all those who have contributed to this memorial issue.
Donald Erlenkotter Guest Editor
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Civil War Token Journal
Reminiscences of Civil War Token Collecting and Research
Dr. George J. Fuld
As of 1943, like many youngsters 1 started to collect Lincoln cents. By 1946 1 was deeply involved in collecting all United States coinage, and had completed my Lincoln cent set as well as a set of Indian Head cents and was pursuing earlier years of this denomination. In 1947 I talked my father, Melvin Fuld, into taking me to the American Numismatic Association convention held that year in Buffalo. For a precocious kid of fifteen, this was such an eye-opening experience. 1 met two collectors who made a complete change in my collecting interest. They were William Guild of West Newton, Massachusetts (later Florida) and Bill Jacka of Bedford, Ohio. They both told me of a new collecting interest - Civil War tokens. They suggested that this was a wide open field with hundreds of different tokens available at 10 to 25 cents each.
At the show I met David Bullowa, who sold me dozens of different Civil War tokens at twenty-five cents each. At that time, my father had no interest in coin collecting. Over the next year or so he joined me in enjoying these tokens. In 1949 Bullowa acquired the 4,000-plus collection of Civil War tokens formed by Joseph Barnet and advertised in The Numismatist. He wanted $2,500 for the collection, a “huge” sum for me at the time. 1 proposed that Bullowa buy my United States collection of cents complete from 1794 to date (except the 1856 Flying Eagle) as partial payment in the amount of $900. My father agreed to make up the difference in cash. We packed up our collection and drove from Baltimore to Philadelphia to make the trade.
At that time the only reference available was the Hetrich and Guttag book published in 1924. Barnet had published an updated commentary on H&G varieties in The Numismatist and The Numismatic Review in 1943 and 1944. I aggressively continued to buy Civil War tokens, including small collections, and offered duplicates for sale. In 1951 my father and I bought the D. C. Wismer Collection of Civil War tokens, consisting of 1 1,000 pieces, from the New Netherlands Coin Company at six cents each. We sold more than 5,000 of these, packed in a wooden crate, to Tatham Stamp & Coin Co. in Springfield, Massachusetts. These were all duplicates, mainly the “Dix” patriotic tokens.
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The other major collection we acquired was Henry Guttag’s collection of about 5,000, in 1958. It had first passed to Max Schwartz of New York City, who retained a hundred or so pieces, and then to John Zug of Bowie, Maryland, who advertised it, but no buyer came forth. From there it went to New Netherlands, and then to us. We traded with the few serious Civil War token collectors at the time such as William Fayerweather, Clif Temple, Jim Curto, Ray Haggenjos, Charles Foster, Lionel Rudduck, Wayne Rich, Martin Jacobowitz, and Otto Kersteiner.
Starting about 1951 my father and 1 created articles on special series of Civil War tokens. About the same time 1 proposed a comprehensive compilation. 1 chose to do the patriotic series first, as there are only about 550 different patriotic token dies. Each die combination was assigned a number, as had been done by Hetrich and Guttag. 1 assigned rarity ratings of 1 to 10, which are still used today. The rarity of each combination was determined by checking inventories of all collections 1 knew of plus my experience of the many duplicates that 1 had seen.
The photographs of each die were taken at two times actual size by Kenneth Bressett, after which I pasted and numbered them on 22 plates. This work was published serially in 1959 in The Numismatic Scrapbook Magazine, edited by Lee Hewitt, and in 1960 as one of the “little black books” which Hewitt printed for Whitman, then located in Racine. Two more editions were sold by Whitman Publishing Company, with a total run of over 15,000 copies at one dollar each.
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Civil War Token Journal
Concurrently with the patriotic work, I was busy with a book covering the 8,500 or so store card varieties. In 1962 Whitman published A Guide to Civil War Store Card Tokens as another of its “little black books.” State by state, each city in which merchants issued Civil War tokens was assigned a number from 1 to 1,000, following the style of Anvood’s Catalogue of United States and Canadian Transportation Tokens published by the American Vecturist Association. The issues of the 900 or so store card advertisers were listed by merchant followed by a number representing the die varieties known of each advertiser. There were only occasional illustrations.
Starting about 1962 my father and I began working on a detailed catalog of store card varieties with photographs of the obverse die or dies used by each advertiser. Since many dies were used repeatedly for token reverses, a new list of stock reverse dies with identification numbers starting from 1000 was prepared. One must remember that in 1962 there were no computers or word processors, and of course no Internet.
From about 1970, Doug Watson (who worked for Krause Publications) photographed all tokens and made paste-ups by hand of the descriptive text and photos of each token. The preparation of this massive text took about two years of time by Watson and me. The book was in large fonnat (8I/2 x 11 size) totaling 350 pages. I assigned the copyright to the Civil War Token Society, and it was printed by Krause in 1972. As I recall, 1,000 copies were printed which sold out promptly. In 1975 a slightly revised second edition was printed in a reduced format of 6 x 9 inches by A1 Hoch of Quarterman Publications.
Along the way, there was enough collector interest in 1967 for the fonnation of the Civil War Token Society with Melvin Fuld as its first president. From a small group of about 100, the Society grew to more than 1,000 members. Its journal was, and is, state of the art in publishing research, news, and other infonnation.
By about 1970 my collection had grown to include around 6,500 different tokens. As new acquisitions were few and far between, I decided to sell it, mostly in groups by states. Now, over 40 years later, with updates of the patriotic and store card books and with interest increased by the Internet and other means, we have infonnation that I never dreamed of in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. It has been a pleasure to have been a part of this growth.
[Adapted by permission from A Guide Book of Civil War Tokens by Q. David Bowers, Whitman Publishing, 2013, pp. vi-viii.]
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reminiscences of George Fuld
What to say about George Fuld? It would take a hook to share all of my memories of him and to chronicle his achievements in numismatics. Although 1 didn’t realize it then, the last essay he wrote on Civil War tokens was his autobiography, which he contributed to my Whitman Guide Book of Civil War Tokens. This had a lot of information that had never reached print before. I was honored when he did this. Today, now that George is no longer with us, I am even more deeply honored and appreciative.
1 don’t recall when or where 1 first met George, but the time was the mid- 1950s, perhaps in 1954 or 1955. I was a teenager, and he was doing research at M.l.T. I loved numismatic history and research, and he was one of a relatively small number of others who enjoyed delving into the background of tokens and medals. Since February 1948 he and his father Melvin had been columnists for “The Token Collector’s Page” in The Numismatist. 1 had enjoyed reading them in the back issues I had collected. Building a numismatic library was one of my favorite pursuits. Back then, there were no dealers in old catalogs and books, and most of what I had was given to me for free by retiring collectors who knew 1 would appreciate them.
1 saw George at various coin shows. The Rittenhouse Society was conceived in 1957 and held its first official meeting at the 1960 ANA Convention in Boston. George signed on as a charter member. By that time 1 had visited him at his home in Wakefield, Massachusetts in 1958 and had purchased countless thousands of his duplicates, nearly all uncirculated and many from the Lanphear shop in Cincinnati. 1 retailed these in large groups for less than a dollar a token. My gosh, how things have changed!
1 appreciated Civil War tokens by that time, but did not know much about them, beyond having a copy of the 1924 Hetrich-Guttag book and having read articles by Henry Clay Ezekiel, Waldo C. Moore, and others. There were no modern reference books. The Fulds’ standard references were years in the future. The tokens became mainstream in my interest and have remained so ever since.
Beyond Civil War tokens, George had a great interest in the tokens and medals of Washington. Whenever 1 bought a collection of these or had them consigned for auction, 1 would send him information concerning the scarcer and rarer pieces. This changed my interest in such tokens from casual to mainstream.
1 set about learning more about them.
In the meantime 1 pursued research in colonial and state coins (particularly the copper issues of the 1780s), Hard Times tokens, and counterstamped coins, among other series. When 1 had a question, George would reply - often pointing me in a direction of which 1 was not aware, or correcting my information, or helping in other ways.
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Civil War Token Journal
There was no commercial aspect involved in this sharing of information. George was also in contact with Ken Bressett, Walter Breen, Eric P. Newman, and others so inclined - all of whom were members of the Rittenhouse Society and all of whom were always willing to share what they knew. A lot of this exchanged knowledge found its way into reference books. 1 must not leave out Russ Rulau, who became active a bit later, but who worked with George on versions of his Medal lie Portraits of Washington book and whose name appears on its cover. The late Steve Tanenbaum was a Civil War token specialist and was cast in the same mold as George: he was fascinated by die varieties, made many discoveries, and tracked down history in his marvelous library of city directories and related books. Steve was not a writer, so his many discoveries live on through information he shared with others.
Not generally known, or perhaps not known at all, is the fact that George worked closely as an advisor to Richard A. Eliasberg, one of two heirs to the complete Eliasberg Collection, when over a period of years Richard consigned the coins to my firm for auction.
I always thought of George in terms of “exonumia,” or series outside of federal issues - a term invented by the late Russ Rulau, also an icon of research. Surprise! One day I was digging into technical aspects of Saint-Gaudens double eagles from 1907 to 1933, and George somehow heard about it. He jumped into the project and helped me with quantities of certain late issues that were melted or never released.
In the past several years of his life he was confined to a rest home in Maryland, with his dear wife Doris keeping him company. He had a lot of notes and files that had been unpublished, and he sent them to me. I distributed them, including to past CWTJ editor Don Erlenkotter, used or will use certain other information, and will be sure that anything significant is shared. In one of my last telephone conversations with him I asked if he was going to attend the next Whitman Coins & Collectibles Expo at the Baltimore Convention Center, as he usually did. He said that under his current condition, although his mind remained as sharp as ever, his physical limitations were that he could not go more than about a hundred feet from his room.
This is a rather rambling commentary. 1 will close by saying George was one of my dearest friends and closest research associates. We shared a lot over a long period of years, and I will treasure his memory forever.
Dave Bowers
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As the historian James E. Spaulding tells us, “Coins are useful to the archaeologist, historian, and collector only after they have been classified and described.”
The work of George Fuld and his father Melvin in classifying Civil War tokens was their great contribution to numismatics. What George Hetrich and Julius Guttag started in their 1924 work. Civil War Tokens and Tradesmen’s Store Cards (enlarged upon by Joseph Barnet in the 1940s), George and Melvin expanded and refined, beginning with their two Whitman guides. Patriotic Civil War Tokens and A Guide to Civil War Store Card Tokens. These popular guides made possible the formation of our society, and have now, with the assistance of society members, evolved into detailed volumes with more than 1,000 pages of lists illustrating every token die, itemizing every metal variety, and rating the rarity of each individual token. After doing all this heavy lifting (including but not limited to many hours of pasting photographs onto master plates), George generously donated the copyrights to both books to our Society, as well as the proceeds from their sales. This body of literature is continually being tweaked and corrected as more is discovered about the token issuers and where they were located. In the 1970s I had the pleasure of working with George to relocate a dozen tokens from Chicago to Baltimore; George did the digging in the Baltimore directories. More recently, the article in this issue about Scovill-made CWTs was a joint project. George has written many articles about CWTs over the years.
Other fields of numismatics that interested George included Washington medals. With the late Russell Rulau, George published Medallic Portraits of Washington, now in its second edition. In 2009 he published The Washington Pattern Coinage of Peter Getz. He was a founding member of the Token and Medal Society (TAMS) and the first editor of its journal. He also published studies of antislavery medals and Duvivier's Washington before Boston medal.
It was a pleasure to have known George and to have shared his interests.
David Gladfelter
About 35 years ago 1 wrote to George and asked if by chance he happened to have a patriotic token with Lincoln’s bust on it. A week later a nice 132/149: Lincoln for President / Johnson for Vice President token in VF condition arrived in the mail. He wrote that 1 could have it for $20 or else just send it back. Even not knowing him, 1 could tell he was an honest and fair man and off went my check to him for $20. 1 was just beginning to collect Civil War tokens, and so have always remembered this.
Clark E. Smith
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Civil War Token Journal
I first met George Fuld in person in 2008, about four years into my tenure as publisher at Whitman Publishing. Q. David Bowers introduced us at the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money in Baltimore. Before that face-to- face meeting, we’d communicated long-distance as he shared his expert knowledge assisting various book projects. I felt quite honored to be able to sit with Dr. Fuld for a while and talk about numismatic publishing, U.S. tokens, his ongoing research into the medallic portraits of George Washington, and other hobby topics. We kept in touch by email over the years. My final connection to Dr. Fuld was again through Dave Bowers, when he wrote a reminiscence for Dave’s 2013 Guide Book of Civil War Tokens. It was a pleasure to read his recollections of his early days as a collector and student. Not just a pleasure, but an inspiration - we should all aim for the level of George Fold’s passion, energy, dedication, and creative spirit.
Dennis Tucker
“Now, aren’t you glad you made that call?” This was the subject line in an email I received from Q. David Bowers, shortly after the passing of George Fuld. Early in 2012 I asked Dave if he could provide me with an address for Dr. Fuld so the Civil War Token Society could send flowers to him as he recovered from an illness. In that conversation I mentioned how I regretted never having met George. Dave immediately provided a phone number, and almost insisted I make the call and get to know the man whose books I refer to almost daily. I reluctantly dialed George’s number and introduced myself to a true gentleman. He immediately put me at ease and then began to query me about how I became interested in collecting CWTs, what I specialized in, what was my favorite token, and was 1 doing any research? While 1 couldn’t imagine we would have had anything to talk about, our half hour conversation covered everything from my interests to his early years of collecting, his Wealth of the South token collection, and putting together the first Patriotic and Store Card books. Over the next year, through more phone calls and some correspondence. Dr. Fuld challenged and inspired me to do more research and more to promote the Civil War Token Society. I feel certain his enthusiasm and his willingness to help others is a large part of the legacy he leaves for all numismatic collectors who had the privilege to meet him. While I am sorry it took so long, I am indeed glad 1 made that call.
Susan Trask
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I can’t remember exactly when I first met George Fuld. It was likely around 1955 or 1956. We were both living in the New England area at the time and occasionally met at local club meetings and shows. By then he was already well known for the many articles on tokens that he had written with his father. Both were consummate gentlemen, friendly and always ready to offer their help in answering questions about every aspect of numismatics.
My main interest at that time was in coins of Colonial America and thus we soon became close friends. And I am happy to say we maintained that closeness ever after. George was the kind of a person who was always available to contribute to any interesting numismatic problem, and to offer his often unique perspective to the situation. Over the years we shared information, photographs, and research on numerous topics. I felt honored when he asked me to photograph his collection of Civil War tokens and subsequently publish his first book on the subject. It was also a great honor to count him as a true friend for so many years, and as a resource for numismatic information that he was always willing to share. I will continue to treasure the memory of having known him, and will be constantly reminded of that friendship by a group of rare old auction catalogs that he let me select before selling his library at auction.
Ken Bressett
My father. Art Kagin, knew George for decades, not only as a scholar of tokens but as a brilliant numismatist and cataloger. He had so much respect for George that he made him one of the featured lecturers for his first accredited numismatic course at Roosevelt University in the early 1960s. I had gotten to know George at the many coin shows we both attended, and at seminars where we sometimes shared the podium. Over the years 1 had come to greatly appreciate his breadth and depth of knowledge. So when there was an opportunity to hire George and his lovely wife Doris to run our auction department in the late 1970s, we jumped at it.
They both went right to work making our auctions memorable events. 1 enjoyed listening to George’s numismatic war stories, much like my father’s, and he would often joke about human foibles and outrageous events. More than just catalogers, George and Doris soon became mispacha (family), sharing in our family events, mitzvahs as well as sorrows. Over several years together we had some tense moments and several major great events, and 1 admired how he took these all in stride. Beyond anything numismatic, 1 will miss most about George the caring and compassion he showed to others.
Don Kagin
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Civil War Token Journal
George and Doris Fuld were warm friends of mine for more than 40 years. Initially my numismatic interests were limited to areas that caught my fancy and could be supported by available funds. A budding interest in Canadian tokens, colonial coins, and medals led to the need for more information and, of course, to numismatic book collecting. In all these areas George’s infectious enthusiasm helped me in my transition from coin collector to numismatist.
My own interests constituted but a small slice of the depth of George’s knowledge and his keen interests in all areas of North American numismatics and American history. The landmark Katen sale of George’s numismatic library provided ample evidence of his wide-ranging interests. I acquired his Canadian library, and continued to build my library with frequent input from George on important items. Subsequently, he helped me put those purchases to good use in assisting him with research over the years on many numismatic topics. I also was privileged to proofread many of his ongoing efforts.
I was honored to co-author and present a paper with George on the “Montreal and Happy While United Medals’’ at the Coinage of the Americas Conference of the ANS in 1987. 1 can tmly say that I never met a kinder and more gracious person. The numismatic community has lost one of its giants.
Barry Tayman
George was generous with his knowledge and helped me with various projects over the years on historic and Indian Peace medals: he was a veritable encyclopedia. Despite the depth and breadth of his expertise, George was open to new ideas and discoveries, and was never dogmatic about his knowledge or the findings of prior research. I was honored and privileged to assist him with his research on Maryland medals for his article “Seventeenth Century Maryland Medals,” published in the Spring 201 1 issue of the Maiy land Numismatist.
In person, George was just a regular guy, down to earth and easy to be around. He was bigger than life, not only a numismatic giant but a scholar, having received his Sc.D. in biochemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1956. His tireless passion and dedication to advancing the published knowledge of coins, medals, and tokens left behind a timeless legacy of important reference work. But what I will always remember most about George was his generosity, unselfish accessibility, kind demeanor, and more than anything, his graciousness.
Tony Lopez
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1 was introduced to Civil War tokens in 1960, when I worked for a coin dealer who gave me a bottle of Indian head cents to package and price. Among them I encountered a few odd items that resembled the cents, but obviously weren’t. The dealer told me they were Civil War tokens, and seeing how interested I was, gave them to me. My collection grew rapidly and before long reached the point where everything 1 saw duplicated what I already owned, so I assumed my group of about two hundred tokens was nearing completion. The bubble burst when I learned about, and purchased, the two black catalogs written by Melvin and George Fuld.
Soon afterwards I started corresponding with Melvin, and somewhat later with George. Both men patiently took time to answer my many questions, as my token horizons expanded. By the early 1970s my wife and I had moved to Maryland, and I visited George and Doris for the first time. They had started their numismatic business, Dorge, and George had a huge inventory, mostly from his personal collection. I recall that on my first trip to his house there was no empty space on the large table in his office, so I sat on the floor in the living room and he brought out seemingly endless boxes of tokens. I purchased, among other things, his entire collection of Civil War sutler tokens, a large percentage of his hard rubber token collection, and hundreds of other neat items. Acquiring such a large quantity of rare material was great. Even better was spending time with George discussing tokens. He shared his considerable knowledge freely with me, and I certainly benefited numismatically as a result of the visits.
Although his name is associated with tokens, he was extremely knowledgeable in many other areas of numismatics as well. In my opinion, George was one of the numismatic pioneers of his time. He will be missed.
David Schenkman
I had the pleasure of meeting George at the ANA World’s Fair of Money in Baltimore in 2008. I say “George” because I called him Dr. Fuld out of my immense respect for him, but he insisted on “George.” We talked for quite some time about Civil War tokens, and 1 enjoyed every minute of it. We would go on to trade many emails, letters, and a few phone calls over the years. He even sent me some research notes and autographed pamphlets, which 1 cherish. George was always kind, willing to share his knowledge, and a true gentleman. 1 will continue to remember the time I spent with him in Baltimore - it was time spent discussing Civil War tokens with the authority on the subject, a numismatic legend, and simply a good man.
John Oslendorf
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Civil War Token Journal
I was greatly saddened to hear of the passing of my friend, George Fuld. George was one of the true giants of American numismatics, and his accomplishments hopefully will be enumerated by others more capable than myself What George did in his long life in American numismatics is very extensive and diverse in nature. Thankfully we have his many writings as a legacy. That he was a scholar goes without saying. He was exceptionally prolific over the many years we were fortunate to have him both in the coin and token business as well as a researcher and author in what is for many of us a hobby and for others also a business. George was one of those people who are so Important when you meet them that they become touchstones for our lives in numismatics. Beyond movie stars and rock stars and all the rest of the nonsense that so frequently occupies our focus, it is interesting to note that American numismatic history has its own cast of very important people. George Fuld was one of them. He elevated and enriched what we do. By his very nature, and in what he accomplished, he gave importance to our activities. For that too, he will be missed. We have lost one of our very important people in our hobby who dedicated his life to its pursuit, and this lessens us immensely.
Although I had known of George Fuld for quite a while, it was not until the 1980s that I got to know him better. I took a job writing auction catalogs for Kagin’s in San Francisco, and George was my boss. 1 remember him as being very personable, even-tempered, and kind, with an impressively broad knowledge of American numismatics. Even years afterwards when 1 talked to George, often at major shows, I felt as though no time at all had passed and that we were as close as ever. It was always a pleasure to see him. Once, when I had first started at Kagin’s, I remember dropping a coin. To put me at ease George quickly said, “Don’t worry about it, it’s good for them!” This is a phrase that I often recall on such occasions. They say imitation is the highest form of flattei'y, and I can’t help but think of George when this happens. It was that sort of easiness that marked his character and will be sorely missed by all who knew him, more so for those who felt as close as I did. George, rest in peace my friend.
Jesse Patrick
Like so many others, my first introduction to George Fuld came through the Fuld books on Civil War tokens. I first dipped my toe in the Civil War token pool when 1 purchased several hundred of them at $1.50 each from Washington, D.C. coin dealer Jack O. King. This led to the Fulds’ little black books, and my purchase of them hooked me completely. After that I was just full of questions, most of which I initially posed to Melvin Fuld. Then I met George (I think at the 1971 ANA Convention in Washington, D.C.). We immediately hit it off, and from that point on most of my interaction with the Fulds was through George.
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To this day I marvel at the breadth of numismatic knowledge at George’s command. In those days, it was most unusual to find someone who was knowledgeable about both tokens and medals. There were actually a number of people to whom one could pose serious questions about tokens. However, George was one of the few to whom one could turn with wide-ranging medallic questions. Dick Johnson and John Ford are the only others from that period that come immediately to mind.
1 got to know George and his wife Doris more intimately when 1 went into business full time, and they became the source of much of my token inventory. He was kind enough to sell me hundreds of tokens from the Fuld Civil War Collection, much of it “on the cuff’ as my funds were most limited back then. Periodic trips to their house and annual dinners at ANA conventions solidified our friendship to the point where this was even more valued than our commercial relationship, which waned after Dorge Approvals was closed down.
The numismatic hobby has been enriched beyond measure by the writings of George Fuld. We are fortunate that they can be shared for the indefinite future. Alas, George Fuld, the man, will be remembered only in the memories of those of us fortunate enough to have known him.
Joe Levine
George Fuld at the ANA CWTS table, Baltimore, 2008
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Civil War Token Journal
George Fuld and the Scovill Civil War Tokens
David D. Gladfelter
Q. David Bowers, in his new Guide Book of Civil War Tokens (Whitman Publishing, LLC, 2013), acknowledges the manufacture of Civil War tokens by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, CT, but with some reservation and skepticism. “[F]acts are elusive,” he writes, “and no positive attributions have been made in the form of signed dies or original records.”’ This is true, but nevertheless one such “elusive” fact may prove dispositive of the question of which CWTs can be ascribed to the Scovill firm. That is the discovery in the Scovill archives of the original die 173 used to strike the patriotic token that comes with reverse 272.
George Fuld obtained this die directly from a retired Scovill employee, Edward H. Davis, in the 1950s when he and his father, Melvin, were in Waterbury to study Scovill records and a collection of tokens belonging to the company. Davis then served as the unpaid company historian and custodian of the company’s token collection. It turns out that the collection was not formed by Scovill setting aside examples of its own manufactured tokens, but was assembled by a Scovill employee, Edward Terrell, from various sources and donated to the company by him around 1885.“ Because Terrell’s donated collection includes pieces not manufactured by Scovill, it cannot be relied upon to ascribe particular tokens as having been made by Scovill. In the words of Edgar H. Adams, “While it is true that in the office of the company at Waterbury there is now kept quite a comprehensive collection of such pieces, still the importance of this is lost through the fact that it contains a number of pieces that the company unquestionably did not make, which of course renders worthless the conclusion one would naturally form that every piece on exhibition had been a product of the works.”
During their visit to Scovill, George and Melvin made trades with Davis, each party obtaining pieces which enhanced their respective collections.'^ Among the pieces acquired by the Fulds were “several unique mules of Civil War tokens”^ about which more will be said later. In appreciation for their work, Davis presented them with the die for obverse 173, a massive piece of steel measuring 7 inches in length by 3 inches in diameter and weighing more than five pounds.^
Since the die for 173 came from the company and not from the Terrell collection, we can definitely ascribe the 173/272 tokens to Scovill.
Without using the Terrell collection, can we ascribe other token dies as well? As for patriotic tokens, Melvin and George attempted this in the appendix to
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Patriotic Civil War Tokens, first, second and third editions (Whitman Publishing Co., Racine, Wl., 1960, 1960, and 1965, called “Pat Cat” by Jack Detwiler), p. 56, item 14. 1 modified their list in Patriotic Civil War Tokens, fourth edition (Krause Publications, lola, WL, 1982), p. 186, and fifth edition (Krause, 2005), p. 234. How good are these ascriptions?
Let’s test them, first by using the intermuling method of ascription. ^ Step 1 : Die 173 is muled (or mated) only with die 272. Die 272 is also muled with die 174. Die 174 is also muled with dies 189 and 233. Thus far, our putative Scovill die pool includes 1 73, 1 74, 1 89, 233, and 272.
Continuing in Step 2: die 189 is also muled with dies 231 and 399. Die 233 is also muled with 312. We have now added dies 231, 312 and 399 to the Scovill pool.
Step 3: Die 231 is also muled with die 352A. Die 312 is also muled with dies 10, 11, and 164. Die 399 is not muled with any new dies. So we add dies 10, 11, 164, and 352A to the pool.
Step 4; Die 352A is also muled with die 82. Dies 10 and 1 1 are also muled with die 298. Die 164 is not muled with any new dies. Add dies 82 and 298 to the pool.
Step 5: Die 82 is also muled with die 351. Die 298 is not muled with any new dies. Add 35 1 .
Step 6: Die 351 is also muled with dies 12, 79, 80, and 81. Add these four
dies.
Step 7: Dies 12 and 79 are also muled with die 297. Dies 80 and 81 are not muled with any new dies. Add 297.
Step 8; Die 297 is also muled with dies 13 and 14. Add them.
Step 9: Dies 13 and 14 are not muled with any new dies.
Thus we have come to the end of our “mule chain.” Time to tote them up. We have thus far identified dies made by Scovill as: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 79, 80, 81, 82, 164, 173, 174, 189, 231, 233, 272, 297, 298, 312, 351, 352A, and 399. All of these 22 dies appear on my list; all but 352A (discovered after publication of the third edition of “Pat Caf’ and before the fourth edition) appear on the Fulds’ list. So far, so good.
Four additional dies, 163, 230, 352, and 352B, appear on both my list of Scovill-made dies and the Fulds’. They are intermuled with one another but not with the 22 preceding dies. Why were they included?
We found links between the letter punches used on the motto OUR/COUNTRY appearing on die 231, on the Scovill list, and die 230.*^ Because die 230 is muled with dies 352 and 352B, and die 352 with die 163, we looked at the pairs 230-231 and 163-164, and the trio, 352-352A-352B, which are closely
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Civil War Token Journal
similar in their design, the strike and fabric of their planchets, and their workmanship. These stylistic similarities are strong among the entire group of dies ascribed to Scovill, so we were comfortable with expanding the Scovill list to 26. Additional dies on the Fulds’ list, some followed by question marks, did not seem to the editors of the fifth edition to fit in with the rest of the group, and so they were dropped.
1 had phone conversations with George on January 3 and 4, 2013 about Scovill’s output of Civil War tokens and our attempts to identify them. In particular, 1 asked him about two lead hub trials, one of the Washington equestrian statue used on dies 173 and 174 and the other of the Capitol with its new dome used on die 233. The former, which is illustrated on plate XVlll of the first three Pat Cat editions and on pages 166 and 209, respectively, of the fourth and fifth editions, appeared in CWTS auction 29, lot 352, in 1978 and is in my collection. The latter appeared as lot 67 in Dorge’s third mail auction and was illustrated on page 46 of the Summer 1972 JCWTS (vol. 6 #2).^ Both of these trials were made from hubs used to produce Scovill dies. My theoiy was that if George had obtained them from Scovill, it would be further proof of Scovill having struck the tokens bearing impressions from those dies. Unfortunately, George did not recall having owned either of the hub trials.
However, he did recall obtaining four “nonsensical” mules from Davis in trade, namely 174/189, 174/233, 189/231 and 23 1/399, all in copper and RlOs. He reasoned that such unique pieces de caprice would not have been part of the Terrell collection. Therefore they must have been made by Scovill, and would be further evidence of its CWT production. These tokens are said to have come “from the tool box of the noted engraver Jarvis E. Ellis at the factory.”
Scovill’s token manufacture adapted the technology of its button manufacture. Since it made tokens both before and after the Civil War and issued its own tokens to advertise its products, it seems strange that it did not do so during the Civil War. Adams illustrates some of the earlier ones in his 1912 article, namely, the view of the works in 1830 (Rulau-E Conn-33)," the plain brass button token (Rulau HT 107), the 1837 phoenix token (Rulau HT 105), the 57 Maiden Lane, New York token (Rulau NY 802-803B), and the 101 William Street, New York token (Rulau NY 805). Adams identifies a number of pre-Civil War tokens as having been made by Scovill, basing these identifications on “a study of the style of workmanship, punches, &c. of the private business cards ot the establishment.” “
Scovill also produced a variety of late 19* century tool checks (Rulau CT-WB 30, 3 1 , 32, 33). In the 1 950s, Scovill issued sets of sample transportation tokens in holders. For the company’s 150* anniversary in 1952, it issued a reproduction of its phoenix token (Rulau HT 106) with a letter R added to distinguish it from the original. It even issued some items of paper exonumia - depression scrip in four denominations - in 1933 (Mitchell & Shafer CT270-l.b., 2.b., 5. a, 5.b., lO.b.; CT280-l.a., l.b. and 5.b.). The scrip items were printed elsewhere, not by the company.
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As of its 1952 sesquicentennial, Scovill had, in addition to its main plant in Waterbary, plants in Oakville and Waterville, CT, Brooklyn, NY, Racine, Wl, Toronto, ON, and Birmingham, England (the latter location having been a major center for brass and, particularly, token and medal production during the 19 century). It employed 1 1,000 workers and called itself “one of the world’s leading fabricators of metal products.” Its products ranged from air valves and cylinders to zinc and brass castings - truly a manufacturing conglomerate, among the Fortune 500 firms. Button (and token) production, once important to Scovill, was no longer mentioned except in the historical context. In the words of President L. P. Sperry, writing an introduction to a historical brochure: “We have elected to recount some of our past in terms of historical incidents in which our company played a part through the manufacture of now-famous buttons. This seems entirely proper since buttons were the original product of the Scovill Company.”
Scovill had come a long way.
NOTES
1. Page 37.
2. Melvin Fuld, “Scovill Manufacturing Co. of Waterbury, Connecticut, Part
Two,” Journal of the Civil War Token Society’, Vol. 2, No. 4 (Winter 1968), pp. 3-7. Part One of this series appeared in JCWTS, Vol. 2, No. 3 (Fall 1968), pp. 3-6, and covered the history of the company and its token production, with some of Melvin’s speculations. Part Three appeared in JCWTS, Vol. 3, No. 1 (Spring 1969), pp. 12-17, and included a list of some 1 70 CWT that he and George found in the Terrell collection. Some of these tokens appear not to have been correctly identified. Some seem to be Indiana Primitive varieties using dies that we now consider to have been hubbed from Scovill tokens.
3. Edgar H. Adams, “J.M.F. & W.ll. Scovill,” The Numismatist, Vol. 25 (July
1912), pp. 233-238; reprinted in Alfred D. Hoch (ed.). Selected Articles on the Subject of American Tokens Reprinted from "The Numismatist" ( 1 904- 1 938), The Token and Medal Society, Inc., 1969, pp. 194-199. The partnership of brothers James Mitchell Famson Scovill and William Henry Scovill was formed on April 4, 1827, succeeding several earlier businesses.
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Civil War Token Journal
according to a company history. Brass Roots\ published in 1952. The partnership in turn was succeeded by the Scovill Manufacturing Company incorporated on January 30, 1 850, per same source.
4. George Fuld, NLG, “The Last Civil War Token Die,” The Civil War Token
Journal, Vol. 42, No. 1 (Spring 2008), pp. 13-14.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid. George’s sketch of the die from memory is illustrated there. He wrote
that in the early 1970s he had sold several restrikes made from this die, but had lost track of the die itself.
7. See the discussion on pp. 214-215 of the fifth edition of “Pat Cat” (Jack
Detwiler’s term).
8. See the discussion on pp. 2 1 5-2 1 6 of the fifth edition of “Pat Cat.”
9. Dorge was the business venture of Doris and George Fuld, conducting 13
auctions of high quality CWTs and other exonumia, much of it coming from the dispersal of their own collection.
10. See George’s paper “U. S. Civil War Tokens” in Richard G. Doty (ed.), The Token: America’s Other Money (The American Numismatic Society, Proceedings of the Coinage of the Americas Conference, New York, 1994), pp. 181-196. Jarvis Edgar Ellis (1833-1922) lived in Waterbury and is listed in the 1860 U. S. Census as a “machinist.” He is listed in the 1870 census as a “die sinker.” Jarvis was the son of Darwin Ellis ( 1 806- 1 884) of Waterbury. Both Darwin and Jarvis are listed in the 1850 census as “button makers” living in the same household. Post-Civil War city directories for Waterbury (the earliest found being the 1868-69 directory) do list Jarvis as working for Scovill from 1871 through 1919, but no reference to Darwin having worked for Scovill has been located, other than George’s and his father Melvin’s statements to that effect. Melvin refers to both men as Scovill employees during the Civil War in Part One of his 1968-69 series of articles about Scovill (see note 2), but goes on to say, without citing supporting evidence, that one or both had some connection with Mishawaka, Indiana. This seems unlikely. Both Darwin and Jarvis are buried in the family plot in Riverside Cemetery in Waterbury. See www.findagrave.com.
1 1. Russell Rulau, Standard Catalog of United States Tokens, 1700-1900, Fourth Edition, Krause Publications, lola, WI, 2004.
12. Edgar H. Adams, op. cit., pp. 235-237.
13. Ralph A. “Curly” Mitchell and Neil Shafer, Standard Catalog of Depression
Scrip of the United States, Krause Publications, lola, Wl, 1984, p. 55.
14. The Mill on Mad River (self-published, 1953). The title is taken from
Howard G. B. Clark’s 1948 potboiler novel set in the formative years of Connecticut’s brass industry - a fun read.
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1864 - R. S. Torrey of Bangor, Maine
Donald Erlenkotter
As we turn to tokens issued 150 years ago, one soon finds that those dated 1864 are relatively scarce in comparison with the great torrent released in 1863. This is true both for patriotic tokens and store cards, of which large numbers were in circulation by 1864. Successes by the Union army during the year increased the likelihood that the North would prevail, and this reduced the incentive for hoarding official coinage. Additional legislation passed during the year further discouraged the use of tokens in place of coinage.
Our sesquicentennial recognition of the tokens of 1 864 begins with the tokens issued in that year by R. S. Torrey (ME 100A-2a & -2b).' Torrey was the only Civil War token-issuing merchant in the state of Maine, and his tokens attract special attention for that reason. The obverse is dated 1864 and identifies R. S. Torrey of Bangor, Maine as the inventor of the Maine State Bee Hive. The reverse is strongly patriotic, with an eagle perched on a striped and starred shield which is emblazoned with UNION and flanked at the sides by flags. The shield is encircled from below by a wreath.
ME lOOA-2 obverse Reverse die 1200
Who made the 1864 Torrey tokens? The reverse of these tokens was struck with store card stock die 1200. This corresponds to die 164 in the patriotic token series. In the preceding article, David Gladfelter has verified that this die was used by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut. ‘ Thus tokens ME 100A-2a & -2b are Scovill products.
Torrey has another distinction as one of the few Civil War token issuers who employed more than one die sinker.'' His first token, ME lOOA-la, was struck by Childs of Chicago and is dated 1863. It too emphasizes Torrey’s role as the inventor of the Maine State Bee Hive. Still a mystery is why he switched die
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Civil War Token Journal
sinkers. Perhaps it was because Scovill offered a more attractive design, and was much closer to Maine.
ME lOOA-1 obverse Reverse die 1105
Two contemporaneous men in Maine named Ruggles S. Torrey have been identified by Jud Petrie."* We are interested in the one who died in Bangor on May 2, 1883 at the age of 64 years and is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery there. He appears in Bangor city directories from 1 848 to 1 869 as a carriage maker, a wheelwright, a dealer in bees and hives, a manufacturer, and an inventor. In the 1850 and 1860 censuses he is listed at Bangor with his wife, Jane (Higgins), and their children.^ In 1850 he was a wheelwright, and in 1860 a dealer in bees and honey. As stated on the tokens, Torrey was the inventor of the Maine State Bee Hive, for which he received a patent in 1 859.
Ruggles S. Torrey had a brief and turbulent second marriage which led to an assault trial in February 1872, a month after he married the widow Deborah Giddings. In a newspaper account of this episode, he is called a “bee tamer.” ^
NOTES
1. Fuld, George and Melvin, U.S. Civil War Store Cards, Second Edition,
Quarterman Publications, Lawrence, MA, 1975, pp. Vlll, XXXIV, 1 17.
2. Gladfelter, David D., “George Fuld and the Scovill Civil War Tokens,” The
Civil War Token Journal, Vol. 48, No. 1 (Spring 2014), pp. 19-23.
3. Gladfelter, David D., “One Merchant, Two Sinkers,” Journal of the Civil War
Token Society, Vol. 5, No. 4 (Winter 1971), pp. 20-26.
4. Petrie, Jud, “The Maine Tokens of R. S. Torrey,” The Civil War Token Journal,
Vol. 26, No. 1 (Spring 1992), pp. 6-9.
5. 1850 U.S. Federal Census, Bangor, Penobscot County, ME [p. 67A, family
#990]; 1860 U.S. Federal Census, Bangor, Penobscot County, ME [p. 102, family #767].
6. “Not Very Romantic,” Portland Daily Press, February 22, 1 872, p. 3.
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Forty Years Ago in the CWTSJ
Paul Cunningham
Jack Detwiler’s “Patriotic Patter” presented his Die-A-Gram No. P-1, Part 5, which examines the curls on Fuld dies 6, 6A, 6B, 6C, 7A, 7B, and 8. Jon Harris, an early mover and shaker in the CWTS, provided “Auction Notes” for this issue, highlighted by a 120/434 patriotic token ($49) and a TN 430A-3a ($106). David Gladfelter reported on “The Matthews Civil War Cardboard Check Hoard,” fifty complete sets of the 10, 20, and 30 cardboard tokens issued by a New York City druggist then on sale to collectors for $5 each. Past President Richard Rossa researched the “Eastman Business College,” NY 760A. Ken Trobaugh, in “Token Oddities,” discussed varying thicknesses of storecards NY 145 A and NY MSB. An anonymous author gave a biographical sketch of Henry Upmeyer, W1 510AP.
Thirty Years Ago Dale Cade contributed “Assembling a Patriotic Type Set, Part 6,” an extensive treatment of the Indian Head sub-groups of plumed and regular feather headdresses. Larkin Wilson posed the question “Copper-Nickel CWT Planchets: Were They Altered U.S. Cents?” The answer is a qualified yes! Sterling Rachootin responded to questions about his previous article on CWT issuing towns that had disappeared, including corrections and apologies to earlier researchers. Dale Cade wrote “A Hip Pocket Approach to Patriotic CWT Pricing,” which probably only another engineer would fully appreciate! In “Fuld 362 - Who Is JGW?” Jack Detwiler speculated about the identity of JGW. This issue attracted five letters to the editor. Nine entries in the CWTS new logo contest were illustrated and discussed. An interesting article by Dennis Wierzba examines the enigmatic copper and silver mine tokens and their possible origins. The brisk sales of the new 4th edition of the Patriotic Civil War Tokens book were announced. [Thirty years later, the CWTS awaits a third edition of the storecard book!]
Twenty Years Ago Everett Cooper provided a comprehensive article on “A Contemplation of the General McClellan Tokens.” Bill Jones added Part 4 of his CWT Mini Sets series, “The Unpatriotic Civil War Token Varieties - Part B.” The discovery of a new patriotic die combination, 535/536, was announced by Larkin Wilson. Nearly 1,000 CWTS members received this issue.
Ten Years Ago W. David Perkins, on his peripatetic search for new Perkins tokens, found information about a 130 year old Civil War token collection in Michigan! The collection, along with coins and paper money, was gifted in 1917 to the Burton Historical Society in Detroit. It is thought that it had been displayed for a while and then put away, to be rediscovered in 2002. In “A Baker’s Dozen,” Tom Fredette compared the designs on some Civil War tokens with similar designs on British tokens. The final item of interest in this issue was an 1896 article reprinted from The New York Times that discusses Civil War tokens.
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Civil War Token Journal
The Editor’s Corner
1 must admit it was with much trepidation that I accepted the appointment of editor of the CWTJ. But with the promise of support from friends more familiar with the publishing world than I, namely Paul Cunningham, Q. David Bowers, and the guest editor of the current issue, Donald Erlenkotter, I decided to acquiesce and step up to the task. Besides, those of you who know me know 1 love a ehallenge!
In the coming months 1 will be looking forward to submissions from our members on their research, bits and pieces of interest, news items, and reminiscences. It is my intention, with the help of our newly elected Board of Governors, to expand interest in Civil War token collecting and build our membership.
In addition, I will be featuring a piece titled “The President’s House.” This is a spin-off from an article Mark Jervis wrote for Volume 1 1, No. 3, of the CWTJ in 1977. In it, Mark celebrated the tenth anniversary of the CWTS by getting acquainted with the first six presidents of the Society. Already two of our past presidents have generously agreed to share their stories on how they became collectors of CWTs, along with bios including their lives and professions outside of numismatics.
So, while I intend to keep our journal dynamic, educational, and informative, I also want to make it fun. And I hope to have the support of many of you in making this happen. If you, the reader, think something is of interest, please send it my way!
A heartfelt thank-you to Don Erlenkotter for a superb job as editor for the past four years. We all look forward to his continued contributions.
Susan Trask Editor
CIVIL WAR EDUCATIONAL FORUM
Held by Central States Numismatic Society
Dates: Friday, April 25 (10 am-3 pm); Saturday, April 26 (10 am-1 pm)
Place: Schaumburg Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center 1551 North Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg, Illinois 60173
Free public admission & free hotel guest and visitor parking
For further information, visit the Web site at www.centralstates.info
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Plessner 8c Son (OH 860D): Druggists of Toledo, Ohio
Scott M. Hopkins
Dr. M. C. T. Plessner was an eminent physician, philanthropist, and civic leader at Saginaw, Michigan from the 1850s up until his death in 1885. However, his store card was issued at Toledo, Ohio. It is listed under OH 860D, and was struck both in copper (rarity 4) and brass (rarity 3). These tokens were struck in Cincinnati by the die sinker W. K. Lanphear, and the reverse die 1310 also appears as the reverse of some of Lanphear’s own tokens (OH 165CY-72). '
OH 860D obverse
Reverse die 1310
Although the Plessner tokens aren’t dated, records for Dr. Plessner indicate that he was in Toledo for only two years, 1863 and 1864. This suggests that the tokens probably were struck in 1863. There is no evidence to indicate that the tokens were issued for use in lieu of coinage, as patriotic tokens were. The limited number of tokens known to exist and the rather expensive nature of Plessner’s services make it likely that they were intended as advertising.
Michael Carl Theodore Plessner was born on October 20, 1813 in Striegau, Prussia. His father was Henry Plessner, a professor in the University ot Breslau, who died in 1835. Michael received the degree of Doctor of Medicine from the University of Berlin in 1837. He was appointed surgeon of the Cholera Hospital near Berlin and was engaged there until I 842. In that year he was appointed Royal Officer of Health, and served successively at Friedland and Stettin. Reportedly he was a supporter of the revolutionary movement of 1848, and the failure of that movement led to his emigration to America in 1849. '^
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Civil War Token Journal
Dr. Plessner arrived al New York City on August 1 1, 1849, on board the ship Westminster together with his wife Amelia and five children.'^ He and his family were recorded in the 1850 census at Saginaw, Michigan, as follows:'*'
Plessner, Michael, age 37, physician, real estate $750, born in Germany " , Amelia, age 27, born in Germany
" , Henry, age 10, attended school, born in Germany
" , Ida, age 8, attended school, born in Germany
" , Robert, age 6, attended school, born in Germany
" , Otto, age 4, born in Germany
" , Paul, age 2, born in Germany
" , George, age 7 mos., born in Michigan
In 1860 he was again recorded at Saginaw, with his occupation now listed as “Justice of the Peace.
Plessner, M C T, age 46, Justice of the Peace, real estate $2,000, personal estate $500, born in Prussia " , Amelia, age 36, born in Prussia
" , Ida, age 1 8, born in Prussia
" , Robert, age 16, born in Prussia
" , Otto, age 14, attended school, born in Prussia
" , Paul, age 12, attended school, born in Prussia
" , George, age 10, attended school, born in Michigan
" , Louis, age 5, attended school, born in Michigan
" , Eliza, age 4, born in Michigan
" , Emma, age 2, born in Michigan
By then son Henry had moved away from the family home.
How, and when, did Dr. Plessner end up in Toledo, Ohio to issue the tokens bearing his name? The histories for Saginaw state that he was there continuously, except for a two-year period spent in Toledo.^ In 1862 he was admitted as a
Q
member of the Toledo Medical Association, and our historical source reports that he was president of this medical society. In December 1 864 he appears on a tax assessment list for Saginaw, so he had returned by then.*^ Therefore it may be concluded that he was in Toledo during the years 1 863 and 1 864.
Williams’ Toledo City Director}’ for 1864 provides the following listings for Dr. Plessner;
PLESSNER MICHAEL C. T.,
(P. & Son,) Physician and Surgeon, Office 23 Summit; h n e c Oliver & Newton
PLESSNER & SON,
(Michael C.T. P.) Dealers in Drugs, Medicines and Perfumery, 23 Summit
Spring 2014
29
The directory listing agrees with the information on the token, but doesn’t provide any information about the “& Son.” Undoubtedly this was Henry, since the other sons were too young to be engaged in such a business. Moreover, Henry C. T. Plessner had a long association with Toledo, beginning from the early 1860s up to his death there in 1898. In 1863 and 1864 he was serving as a captain and major in the 9th Regiment, Ohio Cavalry, and it is likely that Dr. Plessner moved to Toledo during this period to look after his son’s family and other affairs. "
The shop and office at 23 Summit Street were on one of the busiest mercantile streets in Toledo during the 1860s. Situated along the Maumee River, this location allowed for constant contact and transit of goods from neighboring communities such as Maumee City and Perrysburg, along with the regional centers of Cleveland and Detroit.
Dr. Plessner practiced medicine through his office on Water Street in Saginaw beginning in 1857. Besides his profession, he was actively involved in local affairs and regarded as an outstanding citizen of Saginaw County. He was admitted as a trustee of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church on November 30, 1851. From 1852 to 1860 he was Justice of the Peace and Superintendent of the Poor. At the organization of the German Pioneer Society held at Teutonia Hall in Saginaw City on May 26, 1881, he was elected as President of the Society and gave an inaugural address of considerable historical value. ‘ He was highly praised in the records of the Pioneer Society of Michigan, and was listed as chairman of the Physicians of Saginaw Valley on August 8, 1 883.
Dr. Plessner was an accomplished master in the Masonic Order, and his membership dated from 1 839 when he was in Prussia. The Order had its beginning in Saginaw Valley with Germania Lodge, No. 79, which was organized at his home in March 1854. He served as Worshipful Master of the Lodge from 1854 to 1862 and again from 1865 to 1874.'^ Plessner’s two-year absence from this position occurred while he was at Toledo.
Michael and his wife Amelia (Fittenger) were married on March 7, 1839 and had thirteen children. Many of them would continue their father’s work of philanthropy and professional success. They were particularly passionate in their involvement with the Saginaw City schools. Dr. Plessner set the example for them by serving as President of the Saginaw Board of Education for ten years.
Dr. Plessner passed away on September 24, 1885 in his 72nd year. After excusing himself from supper with family and friends, he had retired to his bedroom, complaining of chest pains. The cause of his death was recorded as a heart attack. He and his wife Amelia are buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Saginaw.
Collectors will take interest in the tokens of Dr. Plessner for a variety of reasons. Plessner, as a merchant of Toledo, draws not only my interest but also that of most Ohio collectors. With the Saginaw connection, collectors of that
30
Civil War Token Journal
region and the whole of Miehigan might also take interest. Among those who collect medical themes, the mortar and pestle are popular images, and this token has the additional attraction of displaying these images on both the obverse and the reverse.
NOTES
1. Fuld, George and Melvin, U.S. Civil War Store Cards, Second Edition,
Quarterman Publications, Lawrence, MA, 1975, pp. XL, 352, 456. Judging from the infrequent appearance of the OH 860D tokens, it seems likely that they are scarcer than the listed rarities of R4 and R3 would suggest.
2. As a result of the Potsdam Conference in 1945, Striegau became a part of
Poland. The town was renamed Strzegom by the People’s Republic of Poland, and its German inhabitants were expelled.
3. American Biographical Histoiy of Eminent and Self Made Men with Portrait
Illustrations on Steel, Michigan Volume, Western Biographical Publishing Company, Cincinnati, OH, 1878, Eighth Congressional District, p. 41.
4. Ancestry.com, Aew York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 .
5. 1850 U.S. Federal Census, Saginaw, Saginaw County, Ml [p. 87B, family
#119].
6. 1860 U.S. Federal Census, Saginaw, Saginaw County, MI [pp. 657-658,
family #728].
7. American Biographical History, op. cit., p. 41.
8. The Cincinnati Lancet and Observer, Vol. XIX, No. 8 (August 1 876), p. 756.
9. Ancestry.com, U.S. IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862-1918, Michigan, District 6,
Jan-Dec 1 864, p. 13.
10. Saginaw Courier Herald, iune S, 1898.
11. Ancestry.com, 1890 Veterans Schedules, 3rd Ward, Toledo, Lucas County,
OH [ED 228, p. 1].
12. History of Saginaw County, Michigan; Illustrated, Chas. C. Chapman & Co.,
Chicago, 1881, pp. 218-229, 686.
13. Mills, James Cooke, History of Saginaw County, Michigan, Seeman & Peters,
Saginaw, MI, 1918, pp. 204, 208, 278, 327, 331-332, 387.
14. American Biogr^aphical History, op. cit., p. 41.
15. Report of the Pioneer Society of the State of Michigan, Second Edition,
Vol. IX, Lansing, MI, 1908, Saginaw County pp. 69-70.
16. Seewww.fmdagrave.com.
Spring 2014
31
The General, store
Civilwartokens.org: Free site helping to bring Civil War token knowledge together. We offer many categories and are looking to add anything at the request of subscribers. Jonathan Wolfgram -jawolfgram@rnail.plymouth.edu
PORTSMOUTH, OHIO - Fuld OH 745A Burton’s Exchange and 745B Cunning Liquors storecards collected by member 3435. Stephen M. Edenfield, Post Office Box 25191, Cincinnati, Ohio 45225-0 191.
PLEASE VISIT: Shigitatsu.com for a nice selection of CWTs. Beautiful enlarged obv./rev. images. John M. Martello, P. O. Box 855, Bethpage, NY or email: shigitatsu@aol.com
1714
JUST ASKING! Do you have any unusual MI 920 for sale? (Been asking for years!) Paul Cunningham 517-902-7072, cunninghamchips@hotmail.com, or cunninghamexonumia.com
FUNKY, INDIANA PRIMITIVES WANTED: Big clips, off center, double struck, other odd strikes. I pay top dollar. Wayne Stafford, 3004 Connett Ave., Ft. Wayne, IN 46802 or sweetnet8361@yahoo.com
COMPLETE SET OF ORIGINAL CWTS JOURNALS from Fall 1967 - current. Fall 1967 through Winter 2001 are hardbound in 10 volumes; the rest are not bound. Offers. Bob Canaday, 61 5-838-1679.
STILL LOOKING: For examples of delisted patriotics 481/491 and 481/493 “Rhode Island Sporting Scene” tokens. Please contact Chris Erlenwein at (860) 304-7456 or chris.erlenwein@comcast.net.
FREE: SEMI-ANNUAL FIXED PRICE LIST of tokens, medals and paper collectibles. Always many Civil War tokens, etc. Write soon for next list. Norman Peters, P.O. Box 29, Lancaster, NY 14086-0029.
WANTED TO BUY: Springfield and North Hampton, Ohio tokens, Ron Patton, 937-399-0414 or Ronl3@sbcglobal.net
WANTED TO BUY: 67/372 any metal, overstrikes, etc. welcome. Call or write Steve Butler, 3414 137“^ St., Gig Harbor, WA 98332, 253-858-8647.
FREE: CWTS HALL OF FAME MEDAL - Send SASE with postage for two ounces to Don Erlenkotter, 10616 Ranch Road, Culver City, CA 90230-5457. For further details about this copper medal, email derlenko@anderson.ucla.edu.
4++4-| + + -f+ + + f f f + + +4-++++-I-+++ + ++++++++4 f +
32
Civil War Token Journal
SEE WWVV.CWTOKEN.COIVl for resource materials on collecting CWTs by pictorial type, and for hundreds of downloadable, high-quality photos. Also a few choice and rare CWT e.xamples for sale. Ken Bauer, 145 Elena Court, Scotts Valley, CA 95066-4707; email ken.bauer@mac.com; tel. 831-359-9307.
WANTED: NJ CWTs & HT Tokens, 1798 Large Cents & NJ Colonials.
Write first. Steven Kawalec, P.O. Bo.x 4281, Clifton, NJ 07012 or owlprowler@aol.com CWTS LM189.
141/307b, R8 in brass for sale along with unlisted and multiply struck pieces. Descriptions & pictures are available at http://cwts.ecrater.com or contact me at wvluitje@gmail.com if you are looking for something not shown there.
CWTS Journals 1997-2005 I would like to purchase or borrow all or any of these to read. Vincent Contessa, yovinny@netzero.net or tel. 865-690-9429.
SEEKING CIVIL WAR STORE CARD TOKENS FROM NEW YORK
(mostly interested in NYC, but also other towns). Prefer UNC/MS, but will consider anything, especially if rare/scarce. Please send list with grades/pricing and scans if available. Have some CWT patriotics and store cards (NYC and others) to trade or can pay cash, davidposes@gmail.com or 914-645-4750.
WANTED TO BUY: Wisconsin CWTs: 300C-2a, 300C-3a, 300C-4a, 300E-la. Please send price, condition, description, and photo if available to: northernlight@charter.net
THIS WAS ANDERSONVILLE (1972) by John McElroy. Trade for MI 225BL- la or Ml 225BL-3b in fme+. Email Tom at geesetom@aim.com for more info.
NEW W'EB SITE: Please check out my new Web site at www.rick-irons.com. Sutler tokens, patriotics & store cards for sale. Also, pictures of my sutler token collection.
Buying Civil War Tokens
Urgently need nice material. Whole collections, singles, duplicates, everything purchased! Special need for rare dies, rare die combinations, rare towns, off metals, overstrikes.
Ship for fast check offer. No one pays more!
C & D Gale
Dept. T, 5043 NW 102"“ Dr., Coral Springs, FL 33076-1706 Phone: (754) 484-4738 Fax: (954) 345-4715 Email: cdgale@myacc.net
Spring 2014
33
CWTS VERIFICATION SERVICE
NOTICE OF POLICY
The following policy and terms will be observed by the Society’s Verification ' Service. Please read carefully before submitting specimens to the Verification j Officer. i
1. Verification is performed at a charge of $6 per token plus the cost of any | insurance and/or registered mail required. If no insurance is requested, each ! token will be valued at a maximum of $10 in the event of loss.
2. The purpose of the Verification Service is to identify and attribute tokens j belonging to or being offered to CWTS members that appear to be new' varieties of Civil War tokens, such as those of unlisted issuers and new die varieties or die combinations or metal types or overstrikes for inclusion in future editions of the patriotic and storecard catalogs. The Service does not identify and attribute tokens that can be readily identified by consulting the catalogs. The Verification Officer at his/her discretion may decline to examine tokens that are identifiable from the catalogs.
3. No more than four specimens in one package will be accepted by the Service without prior correspondence with the Verification Officer.
4. For return to the submitter, all specimens will be insured for a minimum value of $10 per token. The submitter has the option of requesting and paying for insurance and/or registered mail if a higher value is declared. The CWTS cannot be responsible for insurance above the minimum without submission of this value.
5. All specimens must be submitted in 2 x 2 vinyl or Mylar flips. The Service cannot be responsible for specimens in special holders or cardboard, stapled holders. (This requirement will protect against possible damage during removal.) Specimens will usually be removed from the holder by the Service. Most will have a specific gravity determination. This requires submerging the token in water.
6. Unless permission is specifically denied on the request form, the Service may do a touchstone test on the edge of the token. This will usually be done to differentiate copper, brass, and copper-nickel.
7. The submitter should state the specific information or question to be answered regarding the specimen.
8. The Verification Service will not assign a rarity or value to any new find. A copy of the new find certificate will be submitted to the editor of the storecard catalog and/or the editor of the patriotic catalog. The assignment of rarity can be done more accurately by the cataloguing staff
9. All specimens must be aeeompanied by a properly tllled-in request form, copies of which are available in this and previous Journal editions.
10. Six weeks must be allowed for the return of specimens.
34
Civil War Token Journal
CWTS VERIFICATION SERVICE
The CWTS provides a verification service for its members. If you would like an independent opinion regarding a Civil War Token, submit the token with the following form (one for each token) to:
CWTS Verification Service Dave Snider
800 East Simpson Street Lafayette, CO 80026-2389 (You may copy this form)
Name
Address
Request for Verification
(Last)
(First)
CWTS Member Yes No
Token Attribution (FULD numbers and metal)
Owner’s Value
From Whom Acquired
Specific Opinion Request (e.g. genuine? attribution? planchet metal? error?)
PERMISSION FOR A TOUCHSTONE TEST TO BE PERFORMED IS IS NOT GRANTED.
1 understand and acknowledge that any opinion rendered by the CWTS Verification Service on the authenticity or condition of the item submitted herewith represents a considered judgment by the examiners. Verification, however, neither constitutes a guarantee that the item is genuine nor guarantees that others will not reach different conclusions. The item will be examined with available nondestructive techniques and will be judged by examiners based upon information available to them, but no warranties are expressed or implied from any opinion rendered in consequence of the application.
Date
Signature
Spring 2014
35
ADVERTISING INFORMATION
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Free 25-word ad to all Members. Members’ additional ads (more than one per quarter) and extra words eost 10 cents per word.
DISPLAY ADVERTISING: Full-page ad $75, half-page $40, quarter- page $25. Inside front or back cover $85, outside back cover $ 1 00. Halftones are $6 each. Identical ads run for four consecutive issues are discounted 10%; payment with first insertion.
GENERAL; Only classified or display advertising pertaining to Civil War tokens is acceptable. Members may enclose a flyer as a special enclosure with any CWTS mailing for a cost of $50 beyond the cost of printing. Please send all advertisements to the Editor.
CWTS Membership Application
|
Name |
||
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Address |
||
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City |
State |
ZIP |
|
|
Phone |
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Membership Categories and Dues Amounts
|
□ |
Regular |
$ |
15.00 |
per year |
|
□ |
Life Member |
$300.00 |
total |
|
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□ |
Associate Member* |
$ |
7.50 |
per year |
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□ |
Junior Member** |
$ |
7.50 |
per year |
* Resides with a Regular or Life Member, no Journal included ** Under 18 years of age, date of birth:
Please make your check or money order payable to CWTS and mail to: John Ostcndorf, CWTS Sec., 523 Hiwascc Rd, Waxahaehie, TX 75165.
Payments also may be made via PayPal at www.CWTSocicty.org
CWTJ Author Suggestions
Authors are encouraged to use computer-generated material when preparing articles for the Journal. Please use Microsoft Word-compatible text if possible. Original pictures and artwork are desirable, but copies may be submitted if originals are not available. All photos and original material will be returned to the owner. Quality digital files are welcomed as alternatives to your original material. These should be in jpeg or tiff format, with 300 dpi resolution to ensure high-quality printing.
Those who submit typewritten material should double-space when preparing material. Please use a new ribbon! Typewritten articles will be scanned into a digital file for editing and printing.
Submissions should be directed to the Editor, in the form of email attachments where possible. The author's or publisher's permission must be obtained when using any copyrighted material.
Note: The editor has a large number of high-quality photos of most tokens listed in the Fuld Civil War token books.
THE CUPBOARD IS BARE!
Notice: The Auction Manager urgently needs tokens for the next auction.
As always, a low 10% selling fee applies.
Contact: Dan Moore, P. O. Box 125 Monroe, Ml 48161-0125 Email: working.man@usa.net
Essential CWT Books
U.S. Civil War Store Cards (Second Edition), 650 pages. Lists all merchant issuers of Civil War Tokens by state and town. Thousands of tokens are depicted with their rarity numbers and numerous charts for identifying dies. The essential reference for the collector of store cards. $100 for non- members; $85 for members.
Patriotic Civil War Tokens (Fifth Edition), 436 pages [2007 winner of the Numismatic Literary Guild’s “Extraordinary Merit” Award]. Extensively revised edition with more than 120 new entries, 36 new dies, updated rarities, listing changes, and comprehensive “Die-a-Grams” for identifying dies. The essential reference for collecting patriotic tokens. $35 for non-members; $30 for members.
The Civil War Token Collectors Guide by Bryon Kanzinger, 236 pages. Lists all tokens with their rarities and prices according to condition. Includes a rarity scale for towns and a separate listing of the rarest store cards; filled with information including suggestions and listings for collecting by themes. Useful for valuing a collection. Softcover: $30 for non-members, $25 for members.
Civil War Store Cards of Cincinnati by John Ostendorf, 383 pages. Provides detailed information about the millions of metallic store card tokens that were produced in Cincinnati for merchants ranging from New York to Kansas and Alabama to Minnesota. The softcover edition may be purchased from Lulu.com for $25.50 plus shipping at www.Lulu.com/product/4076901 . The hardcover edition is available for $38.00 plus shipping at WWW. Lulu. com/product/4076883. CWTS members may also purchase the hardcover edition from the CWTS Bookstore on the Society’s Web site. See the “Book Preview” on either of the above Lulu.com Web sites to view the cover and first nine pages of the book.
Please indicate which books you are ordering, make your check or money order payable to the CWTS, and mail to Richard Snow, CWTS Book Manager, Eagle Eye Rare Coins, P. O. Box 32891, Tucson, AZ 85751, email rick@indiancent.com. You may also order books from the CWTS Web site at www.CWTSociety.org.
“Buy the book before the token!”
Cml War
Token
Journal
Summer 2014 Volume 48 Number 2
A CIGAR SMOKING EAGLE!
Essential CWT Books
U.S. Civil War Store Cards (Second Edition), 650 pages. Lists all merchant issuers of Civil War Tokens by state and town. Thousands of tokens are depicted with their rarity numbers and numerous charts for identifying dies. The essential reference for the collector of store cards. $100 for non- members; $85 for members.
Patriotic Civil War Tokens (Fifth Edition), 436 pages [2007 winner of the Numismatic Literary Guild’s “Extraordinary Merit” Award]. Extensively revised edition with more than 120 new entries, 36 new dies, updated rarities, listing changes, and comprehensive “Die-a-Grams” for identifying dies. The essential reference for collecting patriotic tokens. $25 for non-members; $20 for members.
The Civil War Token Collectors Guide by Bryon Kanzinger, 236 pages. Lists all tokens with their rarities and prices according to condition. Includes a rarity scale for towns and a separate listing of the rarest store cards; filled with information including suggestions and listings for collecting by themes. Useful for valuing a collection. Softcover: $30 for non-members, $25 for members.
Civil War Store Cards of Cincinnati by John Ostendorf, 383 pages. Provides detailed information about the millions of metallic store card tokens that were produced in Cincinnati for merchants ranging from New York to Kansas and Alabama to Minnesota. The softcover edition may be purchased from Lulu.com for $25.50 plus shipping at www.Lulu.com/product/4076901 . The hardcover edition is available for $38.00 plus shipping at WWW. Lulu. com/product/4076883. CWTS members may also purchase the hardcover edition from the CWTS Bookstore on the Society’s Web site. See the “Book Preview” on either of the above Lulu.com Web sites to view the cover and first nine pages of the book.
Please indicate which books you are ordering, make your check or money order payable to the CWTS, and mail to Richard Snow, CWTS Book Manager, Eagle Eye Rare Coins, P. O. Box 32891, Tucson, AZ 85751, email rick@indiancent.com. You may also order books from the CWTS Web site at www.CWTSociety.org.
‘‘Buy the book before the token!”
THE CIVIL WAR TOKEN JOURNAL is produced by the Civil War Token Society to help stimulate and maintain interest in the field of Civil War token collecting. The society is strictly a non-profit organization. The Journal is published quarterly: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Single copy price is $3.50. Membership in the CWTS is $18 per year, payable in advance, and includes a subscription to the Journal.
CIVIL WAR TOKEN SOCIETY OFFICERS
President
Scott Blickensderfer P.O. Box 1732 Mishawaka. IN 46546 (574) 273-2670
Treasurer
Tom Reed 12348 State Rte. 34 Bryan, OH 43506 (419) 633-1927
Alan Bleviss 8338 E. Edward Ave. Scottsdale, AZ 85250 (480) 998-1039 (2013-2014)
Jud Petrie P.O. Box 22 Belfast, ME 04915 (207) 930-3647 (2014-2015)
Vice President
Susan Trask P.O. Box 2053 Sisters, OR 97759 (541) 549-8022
Secretary
John Ostendorf 523 Hiwasee Rd. Waxahachie, TX 75165 (972)921-8819
Past President
Ernie Latter P.O. Box 1 Mulberry, FL 33860 (863) 425-2046
Editor
Susan Trask P.O. Box 2053 Sisters, OR 97759 (541) 549-8022
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Larry Dziubek P.O. Box 235
Connoquenessing, PA 16027 (724) 789-7372 (2013-2014)
Chris Karstedt P.O. Box 1804 Wolfeboro, NH 03894 (603) 569-0823 (2013-2014)
Patrick Flannery 186 Wakulat Lane Traverse City, Ml 49686 (269) 352-1196 (2014-2015)
Bill Luitje
2677 Wayside Dr. Ann Arbor, Ml 48103 (734) 769-7820 (2014-2015)
Dave Snider 800 E. Simpson St. Lafayette, CO 80026 (720) 890-0781 (2013-2014)
OTHER CWTS OFFICERS
Publicity
Cindy Wibker P.O. 60x471147 Lake Monroe, FL 32747 (407) 321-8747
Legal Counsel
A Ronald Sirna, Jr. 703 E. Court St. Flint, Ml 48503 (810) 577-6826
Computer Liaison
Bill Luitje 2677 Wayside Dr. Ann Arbor. Ml 48103 (734)769-7820
Publisher
Scott Blickensderfer P.O. Box 1732 Mishawaka, IN 46546 (574) 273-2670
Verification
Dave Snider 800 E. Simpson St. Lafayette, CO 80026 (720) 890-0781
Book Manager
Rick Snow - Eagle Eye P.O. Box 32891 Tucson, AZ 85751 (520)498-4615
Auction Manager
Dan Moore P.O. Box 125 Monroe, Ml 48161 (313) 673-3573
Librarian
Don Shawhan 3324 Waldo Blvd. Manitowoc, Wl 54220 (920) 684-8423
Internet Coordinator
Ernie Latter P.O, Box 1
Mulberry, FL 33860-0001 (863) 425-2046
PUBLICATION DEADLINES
Issues
Spring No. 1 Summer No. 2 Fall No. 3 Winter No. 4
Advertising & Editorial
December 10 March 10 June 10 September 10
Publication Date
March 1 June 1 September 1 December 1
Copyright 2014 Civil War Token Society
CWTS Email Contacts
Officers:
President: Scott Blickensderfer - docsblick@hotmail.com Past President: Ernie Latter - ernster4@aol.com Vice President: Susan Trask - susantrask@mindspring.com Secretary: John Ostendorf -johnoste@aircanopy.net Treasurer: Tom Reed -Jbbnr67@gmail.com
Board of Governors:
Alan Bleviss - alanbleviss@gmail.com Larry Dziubek - lcdziubek@zoominternet.net Pat Flannery - p-flannery@sbcglobal.net Chris Karstedt - CKarstedt@StacksBowers.com Bill Luitje - wvluitje@gmail.com Jud Petrie - exonumist@aol.com Dave Snider - fdsnide@gmail.com
Other Officers:
Auction Manager: Dan Moore - working.man@usa.net Book Manager: Rick Snow - rick@indiancent.com Computer Liaison: Bill Luitje - wvluitje@gmail.com Editor: Susan Trask - susantrask@mindspring.com Internet Coordinator: Ernie Latter - ernster4@aol.com Legal Counsel: A. Ronald Sirna, Jr. - rsirna@gmail.com Librarian: Don Shawhan - laurieloushoes@milwpc.com Publicity: Cindy Wibker - cwibker@aol.com Publisher: Scott Blickensderfer - docsblick@hotmail.com Veritlcation: Dave Snider - fdsnide@gmail.com
Visit us at www.CWTSociety.org Register for the Message Board and sign up for our Twitter account!
2
Civil War Token Journal
State of the Union
There were no guarantees in the summer of 1864. There was no guarantee of an end to the financial crisis in the country, no guarantee of an end to the War, and not even a guarantee as to who would emerge victorious. Frankly, there wasn’t even any assurance that Lincoln would be re-elected. That summer looked bleak. Fast forward 150 years. The summer of 2014 holds great promise for the Civil War Token Society. We are closing in on completion of the 3'‘‘^ edition of Fuld’s US Civil War Store Cards. In this issue of the Journal you’ll find a sample of what to expect from the finished product. The Store Card Committee has worked long and hard on this. Like the War 150 years ago, this work is coming to its logical conclusion. Kudos!
Your Board is now turning its focus to updating and re-vamping our websites. We are developing a working group that will come up with design ideas, better interfaces, more content, and an overall more pleasant experience. The ANA has been struggling for years trying to figure out a way to attract and retain younger memberships. Quite frankly, it is all about new ways of connecting. The youth of today do not connect the way we did even 20 years ago. Maintaining a vibrant technological presence is key to maintaining a vibrant organization, regardless of the organization.
As always, your input is valued and requested. Volunteer; get involved. As we move forward we want to hear from you, the membership. Tell us what you want. Submit articles to the Journal. Clean out your duplicates for the Auctions. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Above all, have fun with this! It’s a hobby.
As a final note, several motions came before the Board of governors this spring. All three motions passed and will take effect immediately.
The Annual dues will increase to $1 8/year for Regular members; $9 for juniors and Associates. We have not had a dues increase in years, and the Post Office has increased rates four times in the last two years. We will also be using the dues increase to provide better services to members. Expect this increase with your next cycle. We will be reducing the number of members of the Board over the next two cycles from 8 to 6, keeping the Executive Committee at 5. This will allow for a more streamlined approach, and encourage a better election process.
Lastly, taking effect after my Term as president ends, the president will serve for three years instead of two, and can serve more than one term so long as they are not consecutive. This will serve to maintain a larger pool of candidates willing and capable of serving.
Get Involved!!
Scott
Spring 2014
3
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
All officers and four positions on our Board of Governors are up for election this year. As the Society's Election Commissioner, I am asking for nominations to fill these positions for the two- year term beginning on January 1, 2015. Members are invited to nominate themselves or other members to run for the offices of President, Vice- President, Secretary, Treasurer or one of the seats open on the Board.
The only stipulations for candidacy are that the President may not run for reelection, the President and Vice-President must have served on the Board at some time, and the other positions are to be filled by active members. The Board positions now held by Alan Bleviss, Larry Dziubek, Chris Karstedt, and Dave Snider are up for election and all may be re-nominated.
Please send nominations to me no later than July 15th. I will accept nominations by regular mail or email.
ERNIE LATTER PO BOX 1
MULBERRY, FL 33860-0001 ernster40aol.com
Membership News
New Life Members New Youth Members
Juan Riera Kyla Vaughan
Q. David Bowers Zach Crawford
4
Civil War Token Journal
Editor’s Corner
Susan Trask
Growing the CWTS Membership....
A Money Talk at ANA with Q. David Bowers
Eight to ten times a year I have the opportunity to travel with my husband Frank to coin shows. The most recent was early May in Denver, a semi-annual show I try never to miss.
This time I decided to put my focus on more than just scouring the bourse for a token or two to add to my personal collection, or discussing the appeal of the CWT hobby with customers stopping by Frank’s tables. I was on a mission to use my best sales techniques and recruit new members for the CWTS.
My enthusiasm for Civil War Tokens makes this an enjoyable task. Even though I didn’t hit it out of the park 1 was happy to send applications for three new members to John Ostendorf at the end of the weekend. This got me thinking.... what if every member of our group made a commitment to bring just one new member a year on board?
While you may not have a coin dealer spouse who lets you tag along and use his table as a sales office, there are other ways to spark interest and draw a new member in. If you belong to a service club, give a short presentation on CWT. Or, ask the principal of your local school to talk to a class of students studying the Civil War. Promoting this hobby to our youth is a step towards perpetuating the society. Our dues are nominal, and nearly everyone who has read the Journal over the years has found it to be informative and enjoyable to read.
One of my favorite means of bringing in new members is to give a talk at a coin expo with a nice PowerPoint presentation showing some of my favorite tokens, sharing a short story about each. So what’s next on my recruiting agenda? A Money Talk with Q. David Bowers on Civil War Tokens at ANA in Chicago on Thursday, Aug. at 3:00 pm. We promise to be informative, share new discoveries and tell some favorite CWT stories! And, you’ll see some sample preview pages of the long- awaited 3rd edition of United States Civil War Tokens. Drop by to say “Hi” and bring a friend. Dave and I will try our best to sign your friend as a new member!!!
Summer 2014
5
The National Bird Smokes Cigars! ,
Q. David Bowers
The curious Civil War token issued by Skidmore’s Head Quarters Hotel in Seneca Falls, New York.
Can an Eagle Be Humorous?
Our national bird, the bald eagle, is one of the most familiar motifs in American numismatics. Usually he (or she?) assumes a patriotic pose — such as on the Great Shield, with an olive branch (for peace) in one talon and 13 arrows (for defense) in the other. Sometimes our eagle stands on or holds a shield, and in other instances holds the Stars and Stripes. All of these poses are serious.
To find anything humorous about eagles is difficult to do. In print, perhaps these are candidates:
Mother eagle to father eagle: “Junior said his first words today: E Pluribus Unum.”
Or, mother eagle to her growing eaglets: “Come, let us prey.”
Finding a humorous image is a bit more difficult — unless you collect Civil War tokens. Here we are all in luck, or at least some of us are. In 1863 Darius Skidmore, proprietor of Skidmore’s Head Quarters Hotel, issued a token depicting on the reverse the American eagle holding a cigar, presumably getting set to smoke it. Fortunately these, while scarce, can be located with some patience. It is
6
Civil War Token Journal
estimated that about 50 each exist in bronze and brass. These were engraved and struck by William H. Bridgens, of whom more will be said.
Skidmore’s Head Quarters Hotel
During the Civil War, and for some years before and after, Darius Skidmore operated Skidmore’s Head Quarters Hotel and Dining Saloon in Seneca Falls, New York — a community near the northern end of Lake Cayuga. Brigham’s Directory and Business Advertiser, 1862-3, illustrates the establishment as a four- floor block, with three windows across each of the top floors, with a door and windows on the ground floor. Lettered across the front is: SKIDMORE’S / DINING SALOON. The accompanying text includes this:
Nos. 93 and 95 Fall Street.... Billiard rooms supplied with Phelan’s Tables, combination cushions. News Room, furnished with all the latest papers, magazines, &c. Chess room adjoining. All kinds of refreshments in their season furnished on short notice.
It would seem from the foregoing that Skidmore’s was a gathering place for reading, games, and other entertainment, in addition to dispensing beverages and serving meals. In an era in which in-home entertainment was often minimal, facilities such as Skidmore’s acted as popular social clubs. Just about every town and city in America had such places. The offering of “all the latest newspapers and magazines” was an invitation for the passer or itinerant traveler to stop in, relax, read, and enjoy the surroundings. At the same time the proprietor compounded, bottled and sold Renovo, a patent medicine said to be beneficial to the hair. It seems that only a few of these bottles are known today, including the illustrated example sold by Glass Works Auctions in March of this year.
A glass Renovo patent medicine bottle from the 1860s, a hair elixir bottled and sold by Darius Skidmore.
Summer 2014
7
Darius Skidmore had owned the building since November 9, 1857, when he purchased it from Obadiah Platt for $500, a tidy sum for the period. By 1860, when the decennial federal census was taken, Skidmore’s operation was described as a “news room and dining saloon.” His real estate was valued at $9,000 and his personal property at $1,000. Living with him was his wife Catherine, age 51, a young girl named Kate, and an older lady, Mary, age 89. In 1863 the business was designated as Skidmore’s Head Quarters Hotel, matching the inscription on the token.
After the Civil War the business name was changed to the Sheridan House and Billiard Rooms. The Seneca County’ Directory of 1867-8, probably mostly compiled in 1866, gives this trade style and, separately, lists a Skidmore relative, Henry Frantz, as a blacksmith in Waterloo, New York. Frantz had served in the Civil War in Company 1 in the 50th New York Engineer Regiment.
In 1867 Darius Skidmore sold his business to Frantz, who renamed the place as the Frantz House Hotel, Restaurant, and Confectionery. Skidmore, retired, lived in the building, probably upstairs. Apparently, there were problems with the hotel, and on July 24, 1875, at 1 1 o’clock in the morning, the Frantz property was sold at auction to satisfy a mortgage of March 1, 1867. The purchaser was Augusta G. Miller, who paid $5,000 for it.
William H. Bridgens
William H. Bridgens, maker of the curious eagle token, was among the more active diesinkers in New York City in the late 1850s and early 1860s. Bridgens was a prolific issuer of medalets and Civil War tokens. One of his tokens of the 1863 period bears the inscription: BRIDGENS / METAL TOKENS / & / STORE CARDS / 189 / WILLIAM ST. N.Y.
Bridgens’ Civil War tokens are unique, with the reverse dies including several interesting and very distinctive pictorial issues.
8
Civil War Token Journal
With but one exception, dentils of the die borders are composed of small triangles, a sawtooth arrangement, dancetting as it is known in heraldry. Ornaments included a spearhead found on the dies of no other diesinker. New York was sometimes abbreviated with a hyphen, as N-Y.
Bridgens’ dies are among the most artistically interesting in the series. Basically, these were used in combination dies listing the names and occupations of various merchants and tradesmen, these being part of the “store card” series. In some instances two of Bridgens’ pictorial dies were combined to produce what are called “patriotic” tokens — without the name of a merchant.
The following gallery of the Bridgens dies provide a setting for the curious token issued by Darius Skidmore.
PA-464-A-la store card of Petersen’s Jewelers with three stores in Pennsylvania. French Liberty Head with “ACCOMODATION” misspelling. Most of the Bridgens dies were used on tokens for multiple merchants.
French Liberty Head Die: This is one of Bridgens’ best known dies. Depicted is his version of the French Liberty Head, the style used on certain French coins as early as the 1790s, but best known to numismatists on Robert Lovett, Jr.’s 1860 store card. The surrounding inscription, FOR PUBLIC ACCOMODATION includes a misspelling of the last word.
The French Liberty Head was a very popular motif for Civil War tokens, and it was used not only by Bridgens and Lovett, but by a handful of other engravers as well.
Summer 2014
9
NJ-555-A-3b Washington Token store card of J.L. Agens & Co.,
Newark, New Jersey.
Washington Token Die: Front row center among Civil War tokens bearing the portrait of the Father of Our Country is this Bridgens die, featuring an adaptation of the Jean Antoine Houdon (1785) portrait, a representation also used by other engravers during the Civil War era.
NY-630-J-01 Bridgens’ own store card with his reverse die of General McClellan.
General McClellan Die: Depicted is the head of a famous Civil War figure. There is no date on the die, but it was probably cut in 1863. In that year McClellan was a favorite national figure for those who opposed Abraham Lincoln, and in 1864 McClellan ran against Lincoln in the presidential election. Perhaps this die and the inscription on die 0256 indicate that Bridgens was anti-Lincoln and the war.
NY-330-A-5a token of A. Killeen of Greenpoint, a section of Brooklyn, New York. This die was used only on two combinations — this store card and a patriotic token.
Tradesmens Currency Die: The inscription on the boldly cut die indicates it
10
Civil War Token Journal
was made as a currency substitute in the coin shortage of 1863. At the time currency referred to coins as well as paper money.
OH-505-B-51 store card of F.B. Orr of Mansfield, Ohio.
Money Makes the Mare Go Die: At the center is a man walking to the left, with coins spilling to the ground from his stuffed backpack. GO IT BUTTONS inscription on ribbon emanating from his mouth, in the manner of a cartoon. A bucket is on the ground to the left. The exact meaning of the image and inscriptions on this die may refer to the graft that was present among certain contractors who supplied the Union during the Civil War. The catch phrase is derived from an old English song that included these lines:
"Will you lend me your mare to go a mile? ”
“No, she is lame leaping over a stile. ”
“But if you will her to me spare,
You shall have money for your mare. ”
“Oh, ho! Say you so?
Money will make the mare to go. ”
Patriotic token 255/392a with two Bridgens dies. The Knickerbocker Currency die was used only on patriotic issues.
Knickerbocker Currency Die: “Old Knick” is at the center a figure with a cane, his coattails in the breeze, walking to the left. This “dandy” or “swell,” a society figure, represents Diedrich Knickerbocker, the fictional early New Yorker
Summer 2014
11
created by Washington Irving, who used this nom de plume in his satirical 1809 book, A History of New York. The die is signed BRIDGENS below the standing figure, the only Civil War token die to bear his name.
Patriotic token 246/433 combining two Bridgens pictorial die, the “Horrors of War” designated as the obverse.
Horrors of War Die: This die is one of the “rarer” Bridgens issues and, like many of the others, was not extensively muled in combinations made for sale to numismatists. At the center is the head of a distressed woman representing a Civil War soldier’s widow. Two crossed cornucopias below her portrait represent what might have been, or will be, if there is peace instead of conflict. This die is not known in combination with any store card die. The inscription is an anti-war statement pure and simple.
NY-630-AT-4a store card of J. Mahnken, New York City.I-O-U 1 Pure Copper Cent / Washington Die: A small portrait of Washington is seen to each side, both facing toward the center.
12
Civil War Token Journal
NY-995-A-la token of E.E. Hasse of Yonkers, New York. This is a rare die and was used only for two other merchants.
I-O-U 1 Cent / Goddess Heads Die: Related to the preceding, this die is quite similar in its concept, except the facing portraits are each of a woman’s head. The dentils at the border are toothlike, not triangular; thus, this die is an anomaly in the Bridgens repertoire.
NY-630-AB-7b store card of A. Gavron, New York City. Only a few merchants used this die.
Good For One Cent with Spearheads Die: This token was obviously intended as a substitute for the federal cent. A star with spearhead ornaments is at each side.
NJ-690-A-2a store card of Coutts & Bro., Perth Amboy,
New Jersey.
Good For One Cent without Spearheads Die: This die is a cousin to the preceding, but lacks spearhead ornaments.
Summer 2014
13
NY-630-AB-4a store card of A. Gavron of New York City whose various issues used several of Bridgens dies.
Union For Ever Die: Depicted on this die is a formal (no cigar) eagle depicted on top of a world globe. The letters in FOR are cut over earlier letters.
NJ-220-A-la with United States / Copper reverse. Store card of Terhune Brothers, Jersey City, New Jersey.
United States Copper Die: Depicted on this die is a standard eagle on top of a world globe, the second eagle die without a cigar. This die shows an error as to the left of the 1st S (STATES) there is a trace of an earlier letter, possible an E, and a trace of another letter is at the lower right of the 1st T in the same word.
Collecting Commentary
The Bridgens dies are mostly found on store cards, but a few are used on patriotic tokens. Likely, no merchant would order a token inscribed “the horrors of war.” A complete collection of die combinations, including by merchants in various states, would require quite a bit of effort to assemble. A more modest display with one token for each die is doable, inexpensive, and very interesting.
The Renovo bottle mentioned above was sold for $3,835 — more than enough to have formed a full type set of Bridgens dies.
Credits: Thanks to Evelyn Mishkin for copy editing. Two pairs of token pictures are from the CWTS photo fde assembled by William Luitje.
14
Civil War Token Journal
Forty Years Ago in the CWTS
Paul Cunningham
Michigander John Canfield continued as President of the CWTS. Jack Detwiler had continued his ”Die-A-Grams,” this time focusing on the cannons/ flags/drum series. Sterling Rachootin explained the naming of the “Military Necessity” die; read the several theories about the source of the name. David Gladfelter researched the Largest Civil War Token, the N. G. Taylor Co. It was a full 38mm wide! An article by Glenn Firestone featured the little known New York Metropolitan Fair. Glenn was an early “mover-and-shaker” in the CWTS fraternity! What do you collect? The Secretary, we assume, arranged all the members with their colleting interests. Many members, of course, were collecting their own states. Some other popular topics were Drugs (stores), medical, patriotic, in general, by condition and by die sinkers! Chet Robinson wrote of the Popular Innkeeper, S. Sammons, of Adrian, Michigan.
Thirty Years Ago... Dale Cade is continuing with his serial Assembling A Patriotic Type Set - Part 7, this one an exercise, primarily, in Washington, Jackson, Franklin and eagle varieties. Wayne Homren, these days recognized as the guru at e-sylum and an occasional columnist for the TAMS Journal, commented on Allegheny City: Gone but not Forgotten; A. City was a small town across the river from present day downtown Pittsburgh. Gary Pipher, who is today alive and kicking in New York, wrote up Auction Notes, a very popular and useful report on prices realized from recent auctions. Auctioneers Cunningham, CWTS, Krueger, PCAC, Hartzog, Kirtley and Alpert had items highlighted in this installment. Cindy Grellman (Wibker) presented a New Patriotic Die Discovered [a shield die] article featuring her interest at the time. In 2014 she is better known as the F.U.N. Lady! Larkin Wilson also wrote up a new die. Patriotic die 439A. A Letter to the Editor addressed the “Gold” and “Silver” tokens attributed to Michigan.
Twenty Years Ago... Bill Jones had added Part 5 of his CWT Mini Sets, The Sanitary Fair Tokens. Everett Cooper shared more of his interests in Sutler Tokens - 9* New York State Militia. Read why Union soldiers expressed the “see the elephant” expression. With extensive research and some serious thought, Everett Cooper commented on the “Military Necessity” token that Sterling Rachootin addressed in 1974.
Ten Years Ago... new author Donald Erlenkotter did an extensive study of the “Hero of Pea Ridge:” A Sigel Family Saga. An eight page effort will lead the casual reader to a real understanding of Siegel’s military career. W. David Perkins adds another of his trademark Michigan connections with Captain Eber Brock Ward, of the Cleveland, Detroit, Lake Superior and Milwaukee tokens. John Ostendorf gives credit to Peter Jacobus - Civil War Token Die Sinker. Sterling Rachootin donates a tongue-in-cheek, self-explanatory Civil War Token Zoo (it includes lions, and horses, and bulls, oh my)!
Summer 2014
15
Store Card Book Update \
'f
John Ostendorf
One question I hear all the time is, when is the new store card book coming out? Fair question. The store card book committee was formed in 2008 and I am sure that there is some question as to whether the book will ever be published. Good news, it will!
A reference book of this magnitude is very difficult to compile. While we had the 2nd edition as a template for use for the 3rd edition; we did not have an electronic copy of the book. Also, the plate photos were all on 35mm negatives of various quality.
It was decided early on to illustrate the plate photos in color. We were photographing tokens from the Tanenbaum collection and had over half of the plate photos we needed before he was tragically taken from us. That was a major setback and cost us about two years while we begged for photos from every source we could think of
We didn't sit idle during this time. Thousands of hours have gone into research, meetings, emails, etc. since the very beginning. The store card book committee met in two hour chat room meetings at least twice a month until about two years ago, when the book was essentially "done". However, the biggest hurdle remained - layout.
I never realized how difficult layout of a book was. The third edition (SC3) has over 3,000 illustrations. Numerous tokens were moved when research proved their attribution in the second edition was incorrect. Text size, formatting, reduction of "white space", overall "look", etc. - these are just some of the many challenges that the committee faced. None of us have any expertise in this area and that is the primary reason we haven't published yet, even though the book has been 95% or so complete in regards to content for several years.
16
Civil War Token Journal
Now back to the good news - we now have expert help in the form of Evelyn Mishkin. Evelyn has worked with Dave Bowers in the past, including on his upcoming shell card reference. Evelyn, Dave, Susan Trask, and I are working closely together to bring this myriad of information and photos into a store card book that we can all be very proud of. An example page of the final product follows.
At the time of this writing in late March, Evelyn has already completed the first 100 pages of the book (Alabama through Kansas). Dave Bowers and I have written short introductory bios for each merchant to add interest. Evelyn works efficiently, is very detail oriented, and is clearly an expert on layout. She asks good questions when needed and sends a sample to Dave, Susan, and I every ten pages for proofing.
Dave and I are also tweaking the preface and other sections of the book. They were written and ready for publication; but obviously with a writer like Dave on board, they will now be improved.
So yes, the book will be published and soon. I have made the mistake in the past of giving a goal of "by the next ANA" etc. This time, I will dodge a specific target date. Trust me, after six years of working on this, nobody wants to finish more than me. At the time of this writing, Evelyn, Dave, Susan and I have been working through this process from about two months and quite a bit of the time spent in February was on basic layout decisions and such that are now behind us. So while I don't want to set a specific target date, I want everyone to know that I am very confident in Evelyn's abilities and that this book will be done and done right.
Thanks for your patience and continued interest in SC3. It is a major undertaking revising an excellent book like SC2 nearly 40 years after its publication. I once again thank the SC3 committee for all its hard work over the years and look forward to holding SC3 in my hands (probably over my head as I'm jumping around in joy).
Best regards,
John
Summer 2014
17
Civil War Token Society - SC- 3
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die 23820
1864: “Liberty for All - America”
Donald Erlenkotter
Our sesquicentennial recognition of the Civil War tokens of 1864 continues with patriotic token 160/417, which proclaims “Liberty for All” in America. ’ The obverse die 160 accentuates this proclamation with the symbolic eagle perched on a cannon. Reverse die 417 adds “America,” with six stars above and seven below and enclosed by an open wreath. Although several dies in the Civil War series name the United States of America, only this one highlights America in its own right.
Die 417
Die 218
Since dies 160 and 417 were also paired with die 218, this completes a triad of tokens here. Die 218 is signed MARR at the bottom and was engraved by John Marr of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It depicts an Amazon maiden carrying a shield and the American flag, with an eagle on her helmet. In the store card series, this die is numbered 1220, and it was used as the reverse die for Mossin & Marr’s store j cardWlSlOAD. !
I
1
Of these, only the token 160/417 appears to have circulated to any extent as its rarity in copper is R4 (201 to 500 examples believed to exist). The most common strikes for the combinations 160/218 and 218/417 are of rarity R7 (11 to 20
20
Civil War Token Journal
believed to exist). These die combinations were struck in five or six metals, which together with their rarity suggests that they were made primarily for collectors.
Mossin & Marr were known mainly for their production of store card tokens, and all three of these dies were employed as reverse dies for store cards. Twelve Wisconsin merchants had die 160 (numbered 1174 in the store card series) as a reverse die for their tokens, so these also are 1864 tokens. Five of them used all three of the dies (1 174, 1220, and 1272) for their tokens. In a number of cases the tokens were struck in several metals. Since rarities of R8 or R9 are typical, these are likely to have been numismatic strikes.
Die 160 also was employed for the reverse of tokens with Lincoln obverses. Shown below is patriotic token 127/160b. Montgomery Burr of Philadelphia has been proposed as the die sinker for obverse die 127.^ This die is best known in the combination 127/248, where the reverse displays O.K. encircled by a chain with thirteen links. Both the copper and brass strikes of this combination are of rarity R3 (501 to 2,000 examples believed to exist). The 127/160 tokens were struck in six metals, of which five are of rarity R9 (2 to 4 known). The rarity of these tokens and the number of off-metal strikes suggest that Burr may have acquired dies from other engravers, such as Marr, and struck tokens for collectors after the war.
Die 127 Die 160
Both dies 160 and 417 are paired with a second 1864 Lincoln die, 125, also tentatively ascribed to Montgomery Burr. The die combinations 125/160 and 125/417 each were struck in six metals, all with rarities of R8 or R9.
NOTES
1. Fuld, George and Melvin, Patriotic Civil War Tokens, Fifth Edition, Krause
Publications, lola, WI, 2005, pp. 62, 68, 86, 124, 128, 142, 144-145, 161, 232.
2. Fuld, op. cit., pp. 59-60, 1 18-120, 219-220. Die 127, also known as store card
reverse die 1 145, was used for store card tokens IL 065A-2a and WI 045A-la.
Summer 2014
21
Where Did You Find That Token?
Scott A. Blickensderfer and Lance Oakley
Collectors, regardless of what they collect, will ultimately accidentally find other collectors. Such is the case of a buddy of mine, Lance Oakley. Lance is a bottle collector, and once during a conversation he showed me some of his treasures. This brought a full conversation about my collecting interests of Civil War Tokens. He then showed me the token below, which I identify as 164/3 12b (R-9). This he would sell me. Interested, I wanted to know where he goes to find his bottles. You’re not going to believe this, so I’ll let him tell his side of it.
“Digging for bottles over the past two years has been exciting and rewarding for my two sons. Matt and Marc, and myself! We have dug 3 or 4 trash dumps, privies (outhouses), and cisterns in our Michiana area. Most sites have an age from the 1870’s through the mid-1930’s.
This particular privy was located on Toule Avenue just north of Lincolnway West in Mishawaka, Indiana. It was on the edge of an alley behind the residence at the end of the street. We noticed a depression in the ground behind the residence and asked permission from the owner to dig. He was more than gracious and interested as to what we would find. My sons, myself and two other digging buddies went to work and completed the 6 foot deep excavation in about five hours. It was an 1890’s, turn of the century digging site.
We found numerous shards of pottery, canning jars, ink wells, marbles, doll heads and of course approximately 100+ bottles, one of which was from a small town nearby and is now in my collection. Every shovelful of dirt brings the possibility of new treasure. The token was in the bottom of the hole, probably being dropped out of one’s pocket, since the age of the coin did not match the time period of the site. [Lance told me this is called a “late drop”]. Such finds happen occasionally and are a great reward for a hard day’s work. The site was returned to its original condition, and we were done for the day.
The true reward of digging is based on archeology. Picturing the life and daily routines of the individuals who were living during a particular time period stimulates the mind of a true “digger”. Always remembering that anything can be bought, but not found (discovered) is the real premise behind our hobbies.”
22
Civil War Token Journal
Lance and his team use Sanford’s Fire maps from the turn of the last century to determine approximate locations for the outhouses he digs. PCWT 164/3 12b is an R-9 token of Scovill Manufacture. It probably grades Good to Very Good. The copper version is R-1 . The true coloring of this cleaned token is much more yellow than pink, leading me to consider this is likely brass. How it came to Mishawaka, and who dropped it down an outhouse 25 years or more after the Civil War will remain a mystery. I’m sure they weren’t happy to hear it hit bottom. And although it should never be condoned, in this instance thank heavens Lance cleaned it!
Scott Blickensderfer and Paul Cunningham were each awarded a $5,000 grant by the Central States Numismatic Association to assist in the publication of their upcoming books. Scott’s grant is for his Indiana Civil War Store Card book to be released in April, 2015. Paul’s grant will help pay for photo processing and printing for his catalogue of Abraham Lincoln Metallic Imagery,
Summer 2014
23
The President's House
Meet
Paul Cunningham
Paul Cunningham has served as President of the Civil War Token Society in addition to his many years as Publisher of the Journal. Paul was a long time high school math and science teacher and holds graduate degrees from the University of Michigan and Union College in New York, the oldest college in the US. Below is his reminiscence on becoming an exonumist.
I've been a long time member of CWTS (and other exonumia organizations) and I'm guessing that I got an interest along these lines like most everyone else, having been a coin collector at one time. That is true. But it took an obstreperous old woman to point me in the right direction!
The woman was Marie Johnson. She lived a few miles from me and we crossed paths often when we were both doing "mall shows." Yes, set up a table at a big mall and try to sell a few coins!
She had a lot of tokens and a few medals and she was on my case constantly about tokens. She had a serious interest in same and was always pushing me to get involved. And so I did.
I joined the American Vecturist Association first and then TAMS and CWTS. Was there a favorite? TAMS was the biggest and the most widely engaged so it seemed the way to go.
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Civil War Token Journal
I often have coin collectors ask what it is about tokens and medals. "Why don't you buy and sell coins?" And I say, "I do!" Hobo nickels, elongated and encased coins, love tokens, the list goes on. I explain that my eyes get bleary looking at coins which differ only IN A TINY DATE! It's a hard sell.
If the coin collector is still listening, I explain about rarity. I ask him or her to try to guess which token I might have in front of us which is rarer than his S-VDB cent (or any other coin he can name). I'm sure you know the answer to that.
I discuss history. As a student of history myself, this is right up my alley. I can show the collector that virtually every token and medal I have has a story to tell.
As a writer of several books, I can point out that an exonumist has many choices about what to collect. Coin collectors seem surprised that many well-known coin dealers, including some who will tell you that they are legends in our times, also collect certain tokens and medals.
Collecting in our area of expertise (Civil War tokens) is very popular. There are many topical areas, such as druggists, one-from-a-state, and your hometown or political, in which a person can be involved. Even after nearly 150 years, the CWTS and some 25 or more other organizations are committed to the study of the Civil War!
I close with a question - what once living person is the subject of the most books or serious studies in history? If you don't answer Jesus Christ I would be surprised. But the second? Arguably, Abraham Lincoln, or France's Napoleon. I am presently finishing up a book on the coins, tokens, medals and plaques of Abraham Lincoln. Look for it later this year.
Summer 2014
25
civil War Token Society Auction #157
1. Send Bids to: Dan Moore, P.O. Box 125, Monroe, Ml 48161 or e-mail with subject CWTS Auction to working.man@usa.net
2. Please include your e-mail address with your bids, if available, for notifications.
3. Please include mailing address and phone number with all bids regardless of bidding method.
4. Members have attributed all tokens. Lots incorrectly attributed or described may be returned within seven days of receipt of lots. Reason for return must accompany lots.
5. Bids are to be made by lot number only. Earliest postmark or email date/time will decide tie bids.
6. Bids will be accepted with postmark or email date/time as late as the auction closing date.
7. Bids of more than $10.00 will be reduced to 10% over the second highest bidder or to 50% of the bid, whichever is larger. Bids of $10.00 or less will not be reduced.
8. Terms are cash. Lots will be sent via U. S. Mail unless otherwise requested. Bidders will pay postage and insurance. Payment is due and payable upon receipt of billing. Please make checks payable to either Dan Moore or CWTS.
9. Auction Manager reserves the right to withdraw any lot or to reject any bid considered to be unreasonable.
10. All tokens are copper unless otherwise specified.
11. Most all copper CWTs resemble circulated cents in color. Therefore, the use of the adjective "dark" will denote a color "darker" than customary. Use of the term "darkening" will denote an early stage of the coloration process.
12. Abbreviations used are SCM- Single Card Merchant, and SMT- Single Merchant Town.
13. A double grade on a lot (XF/VF) denotes obv/rev grading.
14. Listings are per FULD: "U. S. Civil War Storecards" & "Patriotic Civil War Tokens".
15. Selected lots marked with ***pix*** will have pictures posted on the CWTS website here : WWW. cwtsociety.com/auctionpix.html
16. Please observe a minimum bid of $5.00 per lot unless otherwise indicated in parentheses ( ) following the lot description. This is a general minimum for the auction and does not imply the value of any lot in the auction.
17. Auction closes on the 15‘^ of the month after the month that the Journal is published (March, June, September and December) unless noted otherwise. Please bid responsibly.
18. Prices realized will be available after the close of the auction and will be sent FREE to all bidders. Others requesting a prices realized list, please send an e-mail with subject CWTS Auction Prices Realized to working.man@usa.net . For a printed copy of the list, please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) with your request to Dan Moore, P.O. Box 125, Monroe, Ml 48161.
Sale Closes on July 15, 2014
26
Civil War Token Journal
Connecticut
1. 35A-2a, Bridgeport, R3, VF+, Starting to darken, several verdigris spots
Illinois
2. 25A-la, Aurora, R3, VF, SCM, starting to darken, corroded, some nicks & verdigris
3. 95B-3b, Cairo, R7, G Details, Holed, dark, uneven color, heavy verdigris
4. 150G-la, Chicago, R5, XF, Red from cleaning, multiple scratches & hairlines, some verdigris
5. 150J-1 la, Chicago, R7, F, Dark fields with bright (cleaned?) devices, corroded with verdigris
6. 150Q-la, Chicago, R4, VF, SCM, decent color, some nicks & verdigris each side
7. 150Z-la, Chicago, R3, XF, Reddish from cleaning, some marks each side, minor verdigris
8. 150AB-2a, Chicago, R8, F, Starting to darken, some nicks & verdigris
9. 150AC-2a, Chicago, R2, AU, Good color, heavily clashed dies, couple die cracks, minor verdigris
10. 150AX-la, Chicago, R3, VF, SCM, Starting to darken, significant corrosion & verdigris
1 1. 920A-la, Woodstock, R7, VF Details, SMT, SCM, red highlights from being cleaned, dark fields with residue, few small scratches *PIX**(Min.$125.00)
Indiana
12. 290E-4a, Fort Wayne, R6, XF Details, ANACS graded, corroded (lightly) - damaged (gouges on reverse) - Net VF-20, decent color
13. 350G-la, Goshen, R5, VF+, SCM, good color, minor verdigris
14 430G-la, Huntington, R9, VF, SCM, good color, deep scratches both
sides, ex-Tanenbaum
15. 460A-la, Indianapolis, R5, UNC Details, NCS graded, some mint red, some darker areas, ex-Alan Bleviss Collection ***pj)(***
16. 460B-2a, Indianapolis, R9, VF, Starting to darken, some verdigris, some corrosion
17. 460Z-2a, Indianapolis, R9, AU-55, ANACS graded, good color, couple small nicks, minor verdigris ***pix***
18. 500Q-2a, Kendalville, R5, XF, Good color, few nicks, minor verdigris
19. 550I-2a, Ligonier, R4, VF+, Good color, couple nicks each side
20. 570E-2a, Logansport, R5, F, Reddish from old cleaning, lots of little nicks, some darker areas, some verdigris
21. 630A-2a, Mishawaka, R4, VF, Good color, some center weakness, significant verdigris
22. 780B-la, Plymouth, R4, VF, SCM, good color, large dents both sides, couple large cuds, some verdigris
23. 91 5 A- la, Valparaiso, R7, G, Darkening, some letters worn away, significant verdigris
Iowa
24. 930A-la, Waterloo, R9, F, SMT, Starting to darken, significant dings on each side, a little porous **=t=pjx*** (Minimum Bid $250.00)
Summer 2014
27
Kentucky
25. 640C-3a, Newport, Rl, XF, Moved to KY in new book, was OH 165GT- 3a, nice color, some very minor verdigris
Massachusetts
26. 1 15G-4a, Boston, R6, VF, Holed, grey color - maybe plated, significant corrosion, some dings verdigris
Michigan
27. 180A-4a, Clarkston, R6, VF, Decent color, few marks, significant reverse verdigris
28. 225MA-2a, Detroit, R7, F, Decent color, few marks, significant verdigris
29. 225AJa-la, Detroit, R5, VF, Decent color, few marks, significant reverse verdigris
30. 225CD-la, Detroit, R8, VF, Decent color, few marks, some verdigris
31. 360A-la, Grand Haven, R6, VF, Old cleaning, significant corrosion & verdigris
32. 450G-7b, Hillsdale, R6, F+, Brass, decent color, surfaces somewhat pitted, couple nicks each side, a little verdigris
33. 480D-la, Hudson, R7, F, Porous with dark areas and some verdigris
34. 560A-2a, Lansing, R5, AU, Mixed coloring - some reddish color from an old cleaning & some darker areas, scrape on cheek, rusty reverse
35. 700A-2a, Niles, R6, VF, Good color, small clip, couple large reverse scratches, some verdigris, ex-Tanenbaum
36. 745D-2a, Paw Paw, R6, VF-20 BN, NGC certified, good color, some verdigris
37. 920D-la, Tecumseh, R4, F, Starting to darken, some verdigris both sides
Minnesota
38. 720A-3a, Rochester, R7, AU-53 BN, SMT, NGC eertified, fields have a darker reddish color ***p[y^***
New York
39. 10H-8a, Albany, R3, VF, Mixed coloring, some verdigris
40. 10H-8a, Albany, R3, VG, Good color, minor verdigris
41. 1 40A-2a, Cohoes, R 1 , AU, SMT, traces of mint red and luster, couple corrosion spots, some verdigris
42. 145B-lal, Cooperstown, R4, XF, Good color, few small nicks, couple spots, minor verdigris
43. 630D-la, New York, R2, AU, Some mint red & luster, couple large die cracks, few marks each side
44. 630M-la, New York, R2, XF, Couple good-sized corrosion spots on reverse
45. 630P-la, New York, R2, XF, A little dark, minor verdigris
46. 630AC-la, New York, R2, VF, Good color, some verdigris
47. 630AO-4a, New York, R 1 , F, Good color, several long scratches on reverse
48. 630AV- 1 a. New York, R4, AU-55 BN, SCM, NGC certified, 28mm, several dark spots each side
28
Civil War Token Journal
49. 630AW-la, New York, R4, VF+, Small clip at 10 o'clock, starting to darken, few thin obverse scratches, numerous pinprick reverse nicks
50. 630BK-3a, New York, R5, AU-58, Nice color, some mint red around devices, has a shot at being UNC (Minimum Bid $50.00)
51. 630BX-lg, New York, R2, F, Lead, darker, rough surfaces, ex- Tanenbaum
52. 630BX-2g, New York, R2, F, Lead, darker, some of the obverse letters are fading, a little roughness to surfaces (Minimum Bid $1.00)
53. 630BX-2gl, New York, R7, F, Lead, only minor traces of copper still visible, darker, corroded (Minimum Bid $1.00)
54. 630CI-4a, New York, R7, XF, Good color, couple spots, minor verdigris
55. 695A-2a, Oswego, Rl, VF, Minor roughness to surfaces, some verdigris
56. 940A-la, Waterloo, R3, MS-63 BN, SMT, NGC certified, lots of mint red highlights ***pix***
57. 945A-la, Watertown, R3, XF, SMT, good color, some verdigris within devices, ex Fred Ball (Minimum Bid $47.50)
58. 985A-la, Whitehall, Rl, XF, SMT, nice color, minor verdigris
Ohio
59. 50A-la, Bamesville, R5, VF, SCM, good color, small nicks & dings, minor verdigris, ex Fred Ball (Minimum Bid $47.50)
60. 50B-5a, Bamesville, R7, VF, Decent color, couple scratches & some verdigris each side, ex Fred Ball (Minimum Bid $47.50)
61. 60D-5a, Bellaire, R9, F+, Good color, couple nicks, ex Fred Ball (Minimum Bid $47.50)
62. 74A-lal, Berea, R3, XF, Good color, few small nicks, couple spots, minor verdigris
63. lOOA-la, Bryan, R3, VF, Decent color, some planchet roughness, minor verdigris, ex Fred Ball (Minimum Bid $45.00)
64. 120B-la, Camden, R6, F, Porous, several dings, significant verdigris
65. 135A-la, Centerville, R6, AU-58 BN, SMT, NGC certified, few nicks each side, several dark spots
66. 160F-3a, Chillicothe, R6, XF, Good color, few small marks, minor verdigris, ex Fred Ball (Minimum Bid $45.00)
67. 165E-4b, Cincinnati, R6, UNC, Brass, nice color, good luster, one darker area on each side
68. 165N-13a, Cincinnati, R2, XF-h, Good color, small clip, very minor verdigris, ex Fred Ball (Minimum Bid $30.00)
69. 165W-2a, Cincinnati, R4, XF, Decent color, couple small marks, minor verdigris, ex Fred Ball (Minimum Bid $45.00)
70. 165BV-17al, Cincinnati, R8, XF, New designation to be added in the new book to honor the rose cancel of the 5, nice color, some reverse verdigris, ex- Tanenbaum ***pix***
Summer 2014
29
71. 165CZ-2b, Cincinnati, R2, AU, Brass, good color, numerous die polish lines, ex Fred Ball (Minimum Bid $47.50)
72. 165DF-3a, Cincinnati, R7, VF, A few large obverse scratches, lots of reverse verdigris, ex Fred Ball
73. 165GO-5a, Cincinnati, R3, XF, Nice color, few nicks each side
74. 165GS-la, Cincinnati, R7, AU, Obverse has reddish highlights - reverse is all nice even brown, indentation along obverse rim from 7 to 9 o’clock, ex- Tanenbaum
75. 175S-lb, Cleveland, R3, VF, Brass, darkening, some dings, corrosion, and verdigris
76. 200I-5a, Columbus, R6, F, Starting to darken, some rim dings, some verdigris
77. 445A-la, Laurelville, R3, VF, Good color, several obverse rim scratches, numerous reverse scratches all around the head
78. 540A-la, Maumee City, R3, F, Starting to darken, significant dings, corrosion & verdigris
79. 645B-la, North Hampton, R7, VF, Good color, large dings both sides
80. 730A-la, Piqua, R4, AU, Some luster, tiny clip, some nicks
81. 830D-2a, Springfield, R8, VF, Starting to darken. Start of obverse hole, some verdigris each side
82. 880G-la, Troy, R4, VF+, Good color, few small scratches, couple tiny spots
83. 910A-la, Warren, R3, XF, SMT, couple spots, some verdigris
Pennsylvania
84. 750B-ld, Philadelphia, R6, VF+, Copper-Nickel, few marks, some verdigris
85. 765V-4a, Pittsburgh, R6, VF, Decent color, large area of verdigris on reverse
Rhode Island
86. 700C-3a, Providence, R3, XF, Nice color, minor verdigris on reverse
87. 700E-2a, Providence, R2, VF, Good color, verdigris within devices
88. 700G-2a, Providence, R2, VF, Reddish from old cleaning, some dark areas, weak centers, some verdigris
Wisconsin
89. 250F-4a, Green Bay, R4, VF, Good color, some weak letters, few reverse cuds, minor verdigris
90. 330D-la?, Kenosha, R7, VF, la obverse but 2a (die 1110) reverse, bent, darkening, rough surfaces, verdigris
91. 41 OD- 1 a, Madison, R4, XF, Good color, few marks, some verdigris
92. 51 OA- 1 a, Milwaukee, R5, VF, Good color, numerous obverse scratches
93. 510A-lal, Milwaukee, R8, XF, Darkening, rough surfaces, verdigris, indentation that looks like start of a hole on reverse
94. 5 1 OB- la, Milwaukee, R5, VF, Good color, somewhat weak centers, couple nicks & some verdigris each side
95. 5 IOC- la, Milwaukee, R2, XF, Good color, significant reverse verdigris
96. 51 OF- la, Milwaukee, R2, VF, Few marks, some verdigris
30
Civil War Token Journal
97. 51 OF- la, Milwaukee, R4, AU, Nice color, couple rough spots, few small verdigris spots
98. 51 OH- la, Milwaukee, R5, VF, Good color, verdigris both sides
99. 5 101- la, Milwaukee, R5, XF, Several small nicks, verdigris within devices
100. 510K-3a, Milwaukee, R5, XF+, Good color, few small nicks
101. 51 OL- 1 a, Milwaukee, R2, AU, Nice color, no major nicks, rusty reverse die
102. 510L-la, Milwaukee, R2, F, Starting to darken, verdigris both sides
103. 510L-lal, Milwaukee, R5, XF, Good color, few nicks each side, some verdigris
104. 510M-la, Milwaukee, R2, XF, SCM, good color, few nicks, some verdigris
105. 5 ION- la, Milwaukee, R5, XF, SCM, good color, few nicks, some verdigris within devices
106. 510O-2a, Milwaukee, R4, UNC, Nice color, luster, lots of mint red highlights (Minimum Bid $75.00)
107. 51 0P-2a, Milwaukee, R6, XF+, Nice color, minor verdigris
108. 51 OR- la, Milwaukee, R6, VF+, Decent color, some dark spots each side
109. 510R-2b, Milwaukee, R8, UNC, Brass, good color, nice luster, signicant planchet crack, couple nicks, few spots ***pix*** (Minimum Bid $165.00)
1 10. 510T-la, Milwaukee, R6, XF, SCM, good color, minor verdigris, long reverse die crack through stars & date ***pjx*** (Minimum Bid $250.00)
111. 51 OU- 1 a, Milwaukee, R3, XF, Darker brown color, ladies hat in center is a tiny bit weak, tiny clip, couple die cracks, couple nicks, minor verdigris
112. 51 OW- 1 a, Milwaukee, R4, VF+, Good color, minor verdigris
1 13. 510X-2a, Milwaukee, R6, XF, Nice details, significant verdigris both sides
1 14. 5 10Y-2a, Milwaukee, R7, VF, Decent color, some verdigris, nicks & pits on each side
1 15. 5 10Y-4a, Milwaukee, R7, VF+, Good color, small clip at 9 o'clock, couple nicks, minor verdigris
1 16. 510Z-la, Milwaukee, R4, XF, SCM, good color, couple small nicks
1 17. 510AA-2a, Milwaukee, R6, VF, Darkening, some verdigris, couple dings
1 18. 510AB-la, Milwaukee, R3, XF, Good color, minor verdigris, couple nicks, center of barrel is a little weak
1 19. 510AB-4b, Milwaukee, R8, AU, Brass, old light cleaning, decent color, some luster, couple nicks, couple spots, some light hairlines, center of barrel is a tiny bit weak ***PIX***(Minimum Bid $85.00)
120. 510AC-la, Milwaukee, R4, UNC, Mostly red obverse - about 1/3 red reverse, small dark area of verdigris within reverse denticles ***pix*** (Minimum Bid $100.00)
121. 51 OAD- 1 a, Milwaukee, R4, AU, SCM, nice color with some mint red highlights, old scratch in flag, few marks each side, few verdigris spots
122. 510AE-2a, Milwaukee, R5, XF, Just starting to darken, significant verdigris on reverse
Summer 2014
31
123. 510AE-3a, Milwaukee, R7, XF, Nice color, several small verdigris spots
124. 510AG-la, Milwaukee, R7, XF, Good color, some verdigris within devices
125. 510AG-lal, Milwaukee, R4, AU, Nice color, few small nicks
126. 510AH-la, Milwaukee, R5, VF, Starting to darken, significant verdigris both sides
127. 510Al-la, Milwaukee, R3, VF, Starting to darken, significant verdigris both sides
128. 510AJ-la, Milwaukee, R5, XF, Nice color, no major problems
129. 510AK-2a, Milwaukee, R5, AU, Good color, some luster (Minimum bid$70.00)
130. 510AL-la, Milwaukee, R3, AU, SCM, good color, some luster, few small nicks
131. 5 10AM- la, Milwaukee, R4, AU, SCM, good color, some luster, uneven obverse denticles
132. 510AN-la, Milwaukee, R6, AU, Somewhat dark, some traces of mint red, couple scrapes each side
133. 510AN-2a, Milwaukee, R6, XF, Decent color, couple marks, some verdigris
134. 510AO-2a, Milwaukee, R4, VF+, Decent color, couple marks, some verdigris
135. 510AP-la, Milwaukee, R3, VF, Good color, several significant dings, some verdigris
136. 510AP-lal, Milwaukee, R8, VF, Good color, couple nicks & dings, minor verdigris
137. 510AP-4a, Milwaukee, R5, XF, Good color, some luster, couple traces of mint red, couple obverse die cracks, some small nicks, very minor verdigris
138. 510AQ-la, Milwaukee, R4, AU, Good color, few small nicks
139. 540A-la, New Lisbon, R8, VF, SCM, reddish from old cleaning, some marks, some verdigris
140. 6201-6a, Oshkosh, R9, VF, Holed, darkening, significant scratch on each side, some verdigris
141. 700A-2a, Racine, R4, VF, Darkening, small clip, numerous scratches, significant verdigris
142. 700G-3a, Racine, R7, VF, Reddish from old cleaning, couple marks, couple weak stars
143. 890A-la, Tomah, R6, VF, SCM, good color, couple nicks, a little verdigris (Minimum Bid $60.00)
Civil War Era Merchant
144. Miller Wis. 8, Milwaukee, F, White Metal, merchant token, similar to W1 5 1 OV- 1 e except 1 867 date and 3 1 8 State St. address, Rulau Wi-Mi-25, darker fields, small nicks each side ***pix***
West Virginia
145. 890D-4a, Wheeling, R6, XF, Good color, long thin reverse scratch, minor verdigris
32
Civil War Token Journal
Patriotics
146. 5/288b, R3, XF+, Brass, good color, little verdigris, couple thin obverse scratches
147. 1 l/298a, Rl, VG, Cleaned, some nicks, dings, verdigris each side (Minimum Bid $1.00)
148. 29/303a, R2, VF, Several nicks & dings, some verdigris
149. 34/276a, R8, F, Good color, minor nicks & dings as expected
150. 35/277a, R5, F, Rusty red coloring, couple marks each side, some
verdigris
151. 58/439a, R3, XF, Old cleaning, some crumbling of rims, some corrosion, few dark spots, couple scratches
152. 68A/371a, R3, VF+, Good color, few marks each side, some verdigris within devices
153. 94/363a, R6, F, Good color, few small marks, minor verdigris
154. 99/282a, R3, VF, Decent color, may have had an old obverse cleaning,
couple nicks & dings, thin reverse scratch
155. 107/432a, Rl, F Details, Baker-490, darkening, heavy corrosion, some marks (Minimum Bid $1.00)
156. 1 12/396a, Rl, VF, Baker-587, good color, couple scratches, couple small spots
157. 162/338a, R5, VF, Decent color, corroded, some verdigris
158. 175/232a, R6, F, arkening, corroded, significant verdigris
159. 175/403a, R4, VF, Good color, weak upper letters both sides, some
verdigris
160. 220/3 22a, Rl, XF, Capped die causing flat details on reverse, couple scrapes & dings, ex-Tanenbaum *=i=*pjx=i=*H<
161. 224/325a, R3, VF+, Just starting to darken, significant verdigris
162. 299/350a, R2, VF+, Good color, couple dark spots, minor verdigris
End of Sale Good Luck!
CWTJ Author Suggestions
Authors are encouraged to use computer-generated material when preparing articles for the Journal. Please use Microsoft Word-compatible text if possible. Original pictures and artwork are desirable, but copies may be submitted if originals are not available. All photos and original material will be returned to the owner. Quality digital files are welcomed as alternatives to your original material. These should be in jpeg or tiff format, with 300 dpi resolution to ensure high-quality printing.
Those who submit typewritten material should double-space when preparing material. Please use a new ribbon! Typewritten articles will be scanned into a digital file for editing and printing.
Submissions should be directed to the Editor, in the form of email attachments where possible. The author’s or publisher’s permission must be obtained when using any copyrighted material.
Summer 2014
33
The General Store
Civilwartokens.org: Free site helping to bring Civil War token knowledge
together. We offer many categories and are looking to add anything at the request of subscribers. Jonathan Wolfgram -jawolfgram@mail.plymouth.edu
PORTSMOUTH, OHIO - Fuld OH 745A Burton’s Exchange and 745B Cunning Liquors storecards collected by member 3435. Stephen M. Edenfield, Post Office Box 25191, Cincinnati, Ohio 45225-0191.
PLEASE VISIT: Shigitatsu.com for a nice selection of CWTs. Beautiful enlarged obv./rev. images. John M. Martello, P. O. Box 855, Bethpage, NY 11714 or email: shigitatsu@aol.com
JUST ASKING! Do you have any unusual MI 920 for sale? (Been asking for years!) Paul Cunningham 517-902-7072, cunninghamchips@hotmail.com, or cunninghamexonumia.com
FUNKY, INDIANA PRIMITIVES WANTED: Big clips, off center, double struck, other odd strikes. I pay top dollar. Wayne Stafford, 3004 Connett Ave.,
Ft. Wayne, IN 46802 or sweetnet836I@yahoo.com
COMPLETE SET OF ORIGINAL CWTS JOURNALS from Fall 1967 - current. Fall 1967 through Winter 2001 are hardbound in 10 volumes; the rest are not bound. Offers. Bob Canaday, 615-838-1679.
STILL LOOKING: For examples of delisted patriotics 481/491 and 481/493 “Rhode Island Sporting Scene” tokens. Please contact Chris Erlenwein at (860) 304-7456 or chris.erlenwein@comcast.net.
FREE: SEMI-ANNUAL FIXED PRICE LIST of tokens, medals and paper collectibles. Always many Civil War tokens, etc. Write soon for next list.
Norman Peters, P.O. Box 29, Lancaster, NY 14086-0029.
WANTED TO BUY: Springfield and North Hampton, Ohio tokens, Ron Patton, 937-399-0414 or Ronl3@sbcglobal.net
WANTED TO BUY: 67/372 any metal, overstrikes, etc. welcome. Call or write Steve Butler, 3414 137“^ St., Gig Harbor, WA 98332, 253-858-8647.
FREE: CWTS HALL OF FAME MEDAL - Send SASE with postage for two ounces to Don Erlenkotter, 10616 Ranch Road, Culver City, CA 90230-5457. For further details about this copper medal, email derlenko@anderson.ucla.edu.
34
Civil War Token Journal
SEE VVWW.CWTOKEN.COM for resource materials on collecting CWTs by pictorial type, and for hundreds of downloadable, high-quality photos. Also a few choice and rare CWT examples for sale. Ken Bauer, 145 Elena Court, Scotts Valley, CA 95066-4707; email ken.bauer@mac.com; tel. 831-359-9307.
NEED NICE clean, original CWTS Journal Vol. 7 No. 1 (Spring 1973). James Higby. Write to cwstorecards@gmail.com"
141/307b, R8 in brass for sale along with unlisted and multiply struck pieces. Descriptions & pictures are available at http://cwts.ecrater.com or contact me at wvluitje@gmail.com if you are looking for something not shown there.
CWTS Journals 1997-2005 - I would like to purchase or borrow all or any of these to read. Vincent Contessa, yovinny@netzero.net or tel. 865-690-9429.
SEEKING CIVIL WAR STORE CARD TOKENS FROM NEW YORK
(mostly interested in NYC, but also other towns). Prefer UNC/MS, but will consider anything, especially if rare/scarce. Please send list with grades/pricing and scans if available. Have some CWT patriotics and store cards (NYC and others) to trade or can pay cash, davidposes@gmail.com or 914-645-4750.
WANTED TO BUY: Wisconsin CWTs: 300C-2a, 300C-3a, 300C-4a, 300E-la. Please send price, condition, description, and photo if available to; northernlight@charter.net
NEW WEB SITE: Please check out my new Web site at www.rick-irons.com. Sutler tokens, patriotics & store cards for sale. Also, pictures of my sutler token collection.
CWTS Journals, 1967-2013, complete sets by year or volume. All in perfect condition. Offers. Warren Boin. , 973-538-0261, email weboin(S)verizon.net
Wanted:
Uncirculateid Milwaukee, Wl CWT, I. Teller 510-AO. Contact: Tom Casper 414-425-5444, tcasper57@hotmail.com.
Summer 2014
35
For Sale
Wisconsin Civil War Store Cards
Wis235A-la Genesee, Wis. NGC Unc Details D.L. Edwards, R-8
Wis.250E-la Green Bay, Wis. NGC MS 62 BN Drs. Rhode & Hicks, R-7, Ex. C. Krause
Wis. 250l-4a Green Bay, Wis. NGC MS 62 BN Z.Z. St. Lewis, R-6
Wis. 300E-la Janesville, Wis. NGC AU 53 BN
M. Harsh Clothing House, R-7
Wis. 350A-2a Kenosha, Wis. NGC XF 45 BN
N. A. Browns, R-7
Wis. 510Q-la Milwaukee, Wis. NGC VF Details Scratches $1,440.00 T.W. Hart, R-7
Wis. 790A-2al Sheboygan, Wis. NGC MS 63 RB $2,000.00
Trowbridge's Watch, R-8
Wis. 860A-la Stoughton, Wis. NGC Unc Details $ 350.00
T.P. Camp, Watch Maker, R-7
Wis. 860B-la Stoughton, Wis. NGC MS 62 RB $ 350.00
Dearbourn & Root, R-6, Ex. A. Bleviss
Wis. 930A-la Waukesha, Wis. NGC AU 55 BN $ 800.00
Charles Cork, R-7
$7,000.00 $ 825.00
$ 170.00
$ 450.00
$1,125.00
Mike Tramte
P.O. Box 12274, Green Bay, Wl 54307 (920)499-0818 matramte(5>aol.com
ADVERTISING INFORMATION
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Free 25-word ad lo all Members. Members’ additional ads (more than one per quarter) and extra words cost 10 cents per word.
DISPLAY ADVERTISIISG: Full-page ad $75, half-page $40, quarter- page $25. Inside front or back cover $85, outside back cover $ 1 00. Halftones are $6 each. Identical ads run for four consecutive issues are discounted 10%; payment with first insertion.
GENERAL: Only classified or display advertising pertaining to Civil War tokens is acceptable. Members may enclose a Oyer as a special enclosure with any CWTS mailing for a cost of $50 beyond the cost of printing.
Please send all advertisements to the Editor.
CWTS Membership Application
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Membership Categories and Dues Amounts |
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Regular |
$ 18.00 |
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Life Member |
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* Resides with a Regular or Life Member, no Journal included
** Under 18 years of age, date of birth:
Please make your check or money order payable to CWTS and mail to: John Ostendorf, CWTS Sec., 523 Hiwasee Rd, Waxahachie, TX 75165.
AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE SALE
Civil War Store Cards Hard Times Tokens
Stephen L. Tanenbaum
•
Cominfi attraction:
Tokens from my personal collection
I have been busy cataloging and compiling listings of items from the estate of the late Stephen L. Tanenbaum, a fine friend for many years. For more than 40 years Steve gathered these, continually improving and upgrading. The vast majority of the Civil War tokens are Mint State, many certified by NGC (which Steve was in the midst of doing) and others still in his 2x2 cardboard holders. Rarity-9 (2 to 4 known) tokens abound as do, believe it or not, R-IO (unique) tokens and unlisted varieties. These include tokens of Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, and Tennessee. The Hard Times tokens range in grade from well-circulated to Mint State and are mostly comprised of scarce and rare varieties.
In addition, during the coming two years 1 will be cataloging and listing several thousand Civil War tokens from my own collection. These will include many coins pedigreed to the Fuld, Grcllman, Rossa, Tanenbaum, and other collections. Some years ago Steve sold me most of his numismatic strikes, electing to keep for himself a smaller number of pieces. 1 will be olTering many olT-metal tokens, overstrikes on Indian cents and other coins, and the like. This will be a continuing process, adding tokens in groups.
Each token has been carefully priced to be what I consider to be a very reasonable value. It is significant to say that it has been the rule, not the exception, that those buying tokens have come back to buy more!
If you will send me an e-mail request I will send you my latest list by return e-mail. Nearly all arc one-of-a-kind in the Tanenbaum estate and, in time, those 1 offer from my own holdings.
Thank you for your interest!
Dave Bowers
Box 539
Wolfeboro Falls, NH 03896
•
Request by e-mail: qdbarchive(a)metrocast.net
Civil War Token Journal
Fall 2014 Volume 48 Number 3
The Tokens of
■CJurKT Horn, otvaXHATt VA
African-American Barbers
Essential CWT Books
U.S. Civil War Store Cards (Second Edition), 650 pages. Lists all merchant issuers of Civil War Tokens by state and town. Thousands of tokens are depicted with their rarity numbers and numerous charts for identifying dies. The essential reference for the collector of store cards. $100 for non- members; $85 for members.
Patriotic Civil War Tokens (Fifth Edition), 436 pages [2007 winner of the Numismatic Literary Guild’s “Extraordinary Merit” Award]. Extensively revised edition with more than 120 new entries, 36 new dies, updated rarities, listing changes, and comprehensive “Die-a-Grams” for identifying dies. The essential reference for collecting patriotic tokens. $25 for non-members; $20 for members.
The Civil War Token Collectors Guide by Bryon Kanzinger, 236 pages. Lists all tokens with their rarities and prices according to condition. Includes a rarity scale for towns and a separate listing of the rarest store cards; filled with information including suggestions and listings for collecting by themes. Useful for valuing a collection. Softcover: $30 for non-members, $25 for members.
Civil War Store Cards of Cincinnati by John Ostendorf, 383 pages. Provides detailed information about the millions of metallic store card tokens that were produced in Cincinnati for merchants ranging from New York to Kansas and Alabama to Minnesota. The softcover edition may be purchased from Lulu.com for $25.50 plus shipping at www.Lulu.com/product/4076901 . The hardcover edition is available for $38.00 plus shipping at WWW. Lulu. com/product/4076883. CWTS members may also purchase the hardcover edition from the CWTS Bookstore on the Society’s Web site. See the “Book Preview” on either of the above Lulu.com Web sites to view the cover and first nine pages of the book.
Please indicate which books you are ordering, make your check or money order payable to the CWTS, and mail to Richard Snow, CWTS Book Manager, Eagle Eye Rare Coins, P. O. Box 32891, Tucson, AZ 85751, email rick@indiancent.com. You may also order books from the CWTS Web site at www.CWTSociety.org.
“Buy the book before the token!”
THE CIVIL WAR TOKEN JOURNAL is produced by the Civil War Token Society to help stimulate and maintain interest in the field of Civil War token collecting. The society is strictly a non-profit organization. The Journal is published quarterly: Spring, Summer. Fall, and Winter. Single copy price is $3.50. Membership in the CWTS is $18 per year, payable in advance, and includes a subscription to the Journal.
CIVIL WAR TOKEN SOCIETY OFFICERS
President
Scott Blickensderfer P.O. Box 1732 Mishawaka, IN 46546 (574) 273-2670
Treasurer
Tom Reed 12348 State Rte. 34 Bryan, OH 43506 (419) 633-1927
Alan Bleviss 8338 E. Edward Ave. Scottsdale. AZ 85250 (480) 998-1039 (2013-2014)
Jud Petrie P.O. Box 22 Belfast, ME 04915 (207) 930-3647 (2014-2015)
Vice President
Susan Trask P.O. Box 2053 Sisters, OR 97759 (541)549-8022
Secretary
John Ostendorf 523 Hiwasee Rd. Waxahachie, TX 75165 (972) 921-8819
Past President
Ernie Latter P.O. Box 1 Mulberry, FL 33860 (863) 425-2046
Editor
Susan Trask P.O. Box 2053 Sisters, OR 97759 (541) 549-8022
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Larry Dziubek P.O. Box 235
Connoquenessing, PA 16027 (724) 789-7372 (2013-2014)
Chris Karstedt P.O Box 1804 Wolfeboro, NH 03894 (603) 569-0823 (2013-2014)
Patrick Flannery 186 Wakulat Lane Traverse City, Ml 49686 (269) 352-1196 (2014-2015)
Bill Luitje 2677 Wayside Dr. Ann Arbor, Ml 48103 (734) 769-7820 (2014-2015)
Dave Snider 800 E. Simpson St. Lafayette, CO 80026 (720) 890-0781 (2013-2014)
OTHER CWTS OFFICERS
Publicity
Cindy Wibker P.O. Box 471147 Lake Monroe, FL 32747 (407) 321-8747
Legal Counsel
A. Ronald Sirna, Jr. 703 E. Court St. Flint, Ml 48503 (810) 577-6826
Computer Liaison
Bill Luitje
2677 Wayside Dr. Ann Arbor, Ml 48103 (734) 769-7820
Publisher
Scott Blickensderfer P.O. Box 1732 Mishawaka, IN 46546 (574) 273-2670
Verification
Dave Snider 800 E. Simpson St. Lafayette, CO 80026 (720) 890-0781
Book Manager
Rick Snow - Eagle Eye P.O. Box 32891 Tucson. AZ 85751 (520) 498-4615
Auction Manager
Dan Moore P.O. Box 125 Monroe, Ml 48161 (313) 673-3573
Librarian
Don Shawhan 3324 Waldo Blvd. Manitowoc, Wl 54220 (920) 684-8423
Internet Coordinator
Ernie Latter P.O. Box 1
Mulberry, FL 33860-0001 (863) 425-2046
PUBLICATION DEADLINES
Issues Spring No. 1 Summer No. 2 Fall No. 3 Winter No. 4
Advertising & Editorial
December 10 March 10 June 10 September 10
Publication Date
March 1 June 1 September 1 December 1
Copyright 2014 Civil War Token Society
CWTS Email Contacts
Officers:
President: Scott Blickensderfer - docsblick@hotmail.com Past President: Ernie Latter - ernster4@aol.com Vice President: Susan Trask - susantrask@mindspring.com Secretary: John Ostendorf -johnoste@aircanopy.net Treasurer: Tom Reed -jbbnr67@gmail.com
Board of Governors:
Alan Bleviss - alanbleviss@gmail.com Larry Dziubek - lcdziubek@zoominternet.net Pat Flannery -
Chris Karstedt - CKarstedt@StacksBowers.com Bill Luitje - wvluitje@gmail.com Jud Petrie - exonumist@aol.com Dave Snider - fdsnide@gmail.com
Other Officers:
Auction Manager: Dan Moore - working.man@usa.net Book Manager: Rick Snow - rick@indiancent.com Computer Liaison: Bill Luitje - wvluitje@gmail.com Editor: Susan Trask - susantrask@mindspring.com Internet Coordinator: Ernie Latter - ernster4@aol.com Legal Counsel: A. Ronald Sirna, Jr. - rsirna@gmail.com Librarian: Don Shawhan - laurieloushoes@milwpc.com Publicity: Cindy Wibker - cwibker@aol.com Publisher: Scott Blickensderfer - docsblick@hotmail.com Verification: Dave Snider - fdsnide@gmail.com
Visit us at www.CWTSociety.org Register for the Message Board and sign up for our Twitter account!
2
Civil War Token Journal
Forty Years Ago in the CWTS
Paul Cunningham
Jack Detvviler presented a short history of the Merrimac and Monitor ironclads. It wouldn’t be too long before the Merrimac would be relieved of its Civil War Token status! Detwiler would continue his Die-A-Grams, including the five “no date” dies. Jon Harris continued his Auction Notes with a few selected tidbits, like an ultra rare Urbana OH 895A-3b at $225. A Pause for Reflection by Bill Massey may give you the answer to the question “ How did the CWTS Reprints begin?” Bill began binding together three or four years of the CWT Journal as hardbound books, perhaps in the early 1970s. Now we have access to something Bill would have loved - 36 years of the CWTS bound into six books. A fantasy Civil War Token that never was took its lumps at a CWTS meeting in Miami, Florida during the ANA Convention. See this author to examine one in person. Fred Reed writes of one of the rare Freutchtwanger merchant tokens.
Thirty Years Ago - Will Mumford wrote an Editorial about the dearth of token displays at the ANA convention. A short article describes some of the 30 different Civil War associations around the U.S.and overseas. Jack Detwiler shows us the many different ways to collect CWTs, such one from a state (the most popular way), one from each merchant (the second most popular) and the state of Minnesota (the 22"'^ most popular)! Twice-Signed Patriotic Tokens by Larkin Wilson lists the 53 CWT dies that have been signed by the engraver whose shop manufactured the die. Dale Cade’s Assembling A Patriotic Type Set Part 8 includes a Sub-Tertiary Grouping, in which one would see shields, flags and cannon.
Twenty Years Ago - Norman Peters reports the find of a new Monitor token! Emmett Ey reports an engraved half dollar which may have commemorated a Civil War dinner for soldiers. Sterling Rachootin pens a thought-provoking article in The Guinness Book of Records for Civil War Token Collectors. Sterling “What is the thickest token?” and “What tools are depicted in Civil War tokens?” Bill Jones offers General Ambrose Burnside, CWT Mini Sets - Part 6 and a brief biography of the General. Dale Cade tackles the reasons for leaving the CWTS in his Exit Interviews - 1994. Dr. Larkin Wilson presented the CWTS Verification Service for the year. Some 91 specimens were received and 17 new Patriotic tokens were verified!
Ten Years Ago - Sterling Rachootin’s Civil War Tokens Cover the Home Front discusses the many tokens which show patriotic sayings, such as “UNION” or simply “OK.” Rachootin’s similar article CWTs Cover the Warfront in the same issue focuses on war-related themes, such as “No Compromise with Traitors. Outside of the usual articles and notices, this was a very small issue. The CWTS needs you to step up and pen an article about your hobby!
Fall 2014
3
The State of the Union
As I sit and write this, the ANA World’s Fair of Money has just ended, and all of us have returned to our daily lives. It was good to renew friendships, meet new friends, explore exhibits, come up with new ideas, and generally support each other in our individual quests in this, the greatest hobby.
I first would like to recognize Susan Trask and Q. David Bow- ers for their remarkable “Money Talks” symposium on Civil War Tokens. It was well attended by the general collecting com- munity, and the talk was spirited, informative, and entertaining. The talk culminated in a generous offer by Dave, matched by Frank Trask, to generate new membership. I am pleased to say 1 1 new members joined that day. Welcome, and Kudos to Frank and Dave!
The General business meeting of the Society followed. We are fnially sound, the new look of the Journal is a hit, and the fall elections to the Board will be underway. The slate of officers is complete, and there are seven members vying for 3 seats on the Board. Elsewhere in the Journal you will find the ballot. Exercise your privilege and duty as a member, and vote for your leadership! Our newest Hall of Fame member, Q. David Bowers, was honored at this meeting. His indefatigable energy in all things numismatic serves as an inspiration to us all.
The work on the newest edition of the Store Card book is winding to a close. Proof-reading is nearly complete, and according to John Ostendorf, committee chair, what remains is front and back-matter, then finding a suitable publisher. Soon!
After an incredibly busy summer personally for me, it will be refreshing to get back to the daily grind of the fall. Stay active in numismatics, keep reading, contribute to the numismatic community encourage new members, vote, and have fun!
Scott Blickensderfer President, CWTS
4
Civil War Token Journal
Editor's Corner
Susan Trask
Enjoying Our Hobby At the ANA
While I always look forward to the ANA convention, traveling to Chicago for the World’s Fair of Money was especially exciting for me this year because so much has been happening in the Civil War Token Society since we gathered together in 2013.
First item on my agenda this year was meeting up with other members of our group at the club table where I am always sure to find the familiar faces of Jud Petrie, John Ostendorf, and Cindy Wibker who was manning the FUN table adjacent to ours. There was a lot of talk about forthcoming 3rd edition of U.S. Civil War Store Cards. I passed around a photo of John, Q. David Bowers and myself that I had texted to Evelyn Mishkin, who is nearly finished with the typography, copy editing, and graphics of the new book. She had hoped to join us, but family considerations precluded this. Perhaps next year.
Thursday was a big day for me! My first ever Money Talks presentation with none other than Q. David Bowers. This was the first chance to really showcase the long-awaited 3rd edition and the many changes since the last publication of the Fuld reference book in 1973. We both shared images of our favorite CWT and Dave talked about rarities and pricing. It was very well attended and we signed up 1 1 new members. Susan Macmillan of ANA Fleadquarters, coordinator of the Money Talks programs, said ours was one of the best-attended of the show.
Immediately following was the annual CWTS meeting, led by President Scott Blickensderfer. Reports on membership and finances, an update by John
Ostendorf on SC3 and the announcement of our 2014 Hall of Fame Recipient
Drum roll here....Q. David Bowers!! More on this in the next journal publication along with some nice photos.
Last but not least was the ANA banquet on Friday evening. This is where I got to meet up with the people who contribute to all of numismatics, not just Civil War Tokens. Well deserved awards were handed out for longevity, service, and displays. This is truly a gala event that shines the spotlight on those who contribute to this, the best of all hobbies.
I sincerely hope to meet more of the Civil War Token Society members at this event next year. It’s educational, informative, exciting and loads of fun!
Fall 2014
5
The
Presidents
House
Meet CWTS President #22: Donald Erlenkotter
My life began in August 1938 at Ithaca, New York, where my father, Robert Erlenkotter, was completing his masters degree in civil engineering at Cornell University. He was an officer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a 1934 graduate of West Point. After living in Ithaca for six more weeks, we moved south to Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Just six months later we moved considerably farther south - to the Panama Canal Zone! For almost four years we were stationed there, and some of my earliest memories are of the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Japanese were expected to follow up with a strike on the Canal to block naval reinforcements from being sent to the Pacific. Often we had air raid warnings in the middle of the night, and both families in our building had to huddle in the only substantial part of the structure - a ground floor concrete shower stall. There we remained until the all-clear was sounded, with our only source of illumination a single flashlight with a red lens.
In 1942 my mother, sister, and I moved to Denver, Colorado, where my grand- father, Cyrus Boutwell, lived with his family. As is typical for an Army family, we moved frequently, and I had attended nine schools by the time I graduated from high school in 1955. My collecting activities began in 1947 when we were in Newport, Rhode Island, where my father attended the Naval War College for a year. He had been an enthusiastic stamp collector, and so I followed his lead. (1 still have my great-grandfather’s stamp album, which was printed in Germany in the 1870s.) In 1949, when we were living in Louisiana, 1 received a Whitman Lincoln cent coin folder, and U.S. coins became a main interest. About that time 1 also received my first CWTs, which came from an assortment of miscellaneous coins in a family accumulation - a partially holed Doscher store card and two Indian head “Not One Cent” patriotics, one holed and the other with the “Not” scratched out. 1 knew nothing about CWTs at the time, and these weren’t attractive enough to stimulate much interest.
My collecting activities were disrupted in 1953 when my father was transferred to Europe, where 1 spent the first year in Paris and a second In Heidelberg. U.S. coins
6
Civil War Token Journal
weren’t part of the scene there, since we used either local money or military payment certificates. I returned to stamp collecting, and enjoyed the open-air bourse along the Champs Elysees and a couple of visits to the eminent stamp dealer Theodore Champion. In 1955 I graduated from the American high school in Heidelberg and entered Georgia Tech, spending the next four years studying civil engineering. When I graduated in 1959, I had a job in San Francisco to work on the redesign of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, but no money to get there. So I went to the coin department at Rich’s Department Store in Atlanta and sold my collection for $600. (This was one of the worst collecting decisions I ever made, since the collec- tion would be worth at least 100 times that amount today.)
In San Francisco I spent a little time rebuilding a collection from the abundance of coins minted there. Some choice specimens were still available from bank coin rolls. But in 1961 I resumed my education at the Stanford Business School, and continue on for a Ph.D. In 1966 I went to India to work on economic develop- ment planning with the U.S. Agency for International Development. After three years there, I joined the faculty at the Anderson Graduate School of Management at UCLA. The next thirty years were spent primarily in building an academic career.
I had developed an interest in my mother’s Boutwell family, which had come to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 1630s. When eBay began operations on the Internet, I set up a search on eBay for items with Boutwell as a key word. To my surprise, I began turning up a substantial number of Boutwell Civil War tokens and found that there was an entire category on eBay for CWT. From my work on the Boutwell family I knew that Oliver Boutwell, Jr., had been a miller in Troy, New York, and these were his tokens. A couple of family sources had reported that Oliver distributed $10,000 worth of one-cent tokens, or a total of a million tokens. But before I encountered eBay, I had never seen one. As I began learning more about Civil War tokens, I found that very little was known about the number of tokens that had been produced, and what was reported seemed to be more myth than documented knowledge. If I could estimate the percentage of Boutwell tokens among all CWTs, I could calculate the number of CWTs that had been produced. I first spent a year tabulating information from eBay auctions, and then did a second calculation of the percentage of Boutwell tokens in CWTS auctions. These two estimates turned out to be amazingly close. Along the way, I also determined that the survival rate among Boutwell tokens was virtually the same as for all CWTs.
I also came across the Civil War Token Society and became a member. Dale Cade invited me to a meeting in Long Beach, and then persuaded me to present a paper at one of the meetings. I discovered that there were many interesting things to write about in the CWT world, and these blended numismatic and genealogical knowledge in a way that appealed to me. In particular, I liked to examine generally accepted CWT myths to determine if they could be either substantiated or falsified. This led me to write and submit a number of papers to the CWTJ.
Fall 2014
7
A few years later Dale asked me to run for the CWTS Board of Governors. My first assignment on the Board was as a member of the Service Awards Committee. I was surprised to find that there was no convenient record of past award winners, and that several Service and Literary Awards had never been reported in the Journal. With the help of Cindy Wibker, I completed a record of the awards. I also discovered that the Society’s By-Laws were inaccessible and out-of-date. So, I became the chair of a committee to revise them. A collection of this material and additional essential information for the CWTS was assembled into an Executive Board Handbook.
After a couple of terms on the Board, I was induced to run for CWTS president. What I didn’t know was that I was walking into a membership and secretarial crisis. Then the CWTS publisher retired, and 1 stepped in as acting CWTJ editor so our then-editor could take over as publisher. Two months before the end of my term as president, our new publisher suddenly died. This left me with a little over a week to figure out how to produce the Winter 2010 Journal. Looking back, I still find it hard to believe that I got the Journal switched from an archaic cut-and-paste operation to a fully digital format with a PDF print-ready final product under that tight time constraint.
Following three more years as editor, 1 would say that my most enjoyable experiences in the CWTS have been seeing a new issue of the Journal arrive with interesting, well-written articles that are produced in an attractive format. I hope that the Society will continue this tradition.
Q. David Bowers, Susan Trask, & John Ostendorf at CWTS table
8
Civil Wal Token Journal
Hill the Barber
OH-165BWa
by John Ostendorf and David Zimmerman
Listed by the Fulds as OH-165BW-7 through 10, it is fairly obvious that these varieties were issued by a barber and not by Dr. Hiram H. Hill, the druggist who was the issuer of OH-165BW-1 through 6. Thus, 1 suggested the separate listing of OH- 165BWa in my book, Civil War Store Cards of Cincinnati. However, I still didn't know who the issuer of the Hill the barber tokens was at the time.
My friend David Zimmerman helped with a key piece of information that was right under my nose (and even published in my book). In the 1 862 city directory for Cincinnati we have the following listings:
Hill, Wm, Barber, 32 Central Ave.
Rouse, Ellis, Barber, 32 Central Ave.
Readers may recognize that Ellis Rouse was the African-American issuer of tokens listed as OH-165FB. I will present in a separate article that all Civil War tokens issued by barbers were issued by African-Americans.
To put it mildly, it was not easy being an African-American in 1862. In the Southern states, African-Americans were usually slaves. In the Northern states, African-Americans may have been free, but they usually didn't have the same rights enjoyed by most Americans and at best, were treated as second class citizens. They were limited in the trades they were allowed to pursue; but barbering was a trade that was dominated by African-Americans, mainly because whites did not want to engage in a trade associated with servitude.
Cincinnati, just across the Ohio River from Kentucky, was just barely in the northern state of Ohio and African-Americans certainly didn't have equal rights. African-Americans tended to keep to themselves and any partnership would have certainly only been with other African-Americans. So there is no doubt that William Hill was an African-American.
Further support is provided in the 1860 and 1870 census records;
1 860 census for Ripley, Brown County, Ohio:
Rouse, Ellis, 27, male, black. Barber, b. Ohio “ , Anna, 27, female, black, b. Virginia
William Hill, 19, Barber, male, mulatto. Barber, b. Virginia M.E. Lucas, 1 1, female, mulatto, b. Virginia
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1870 census for Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio:
Hill, William, 28, male, black. Barber, b. Ohio
" , Amanda, 24, female, black, b. Ohio
Rouse, Permedia, 48, female, black, at home helping, b.Kentucky
Johnson, Ida, 3, female, black, b. Ohio
From the census records, there seems to be some sort of familial relationship be- tween William Hill and Ellis Rouse. Due to the shameful impact that slavery had on African-American families, it is often difficult to trace these relationships. Families were fragmented and many sadly spent years after the Civil War trying to find fam- ily members that were sold in slavery and taken away. There are many sad adver- tisements in African-American newspapers in the late 1860s seeking information about 'losf family members.
Clearly, William Hill was African-American and was associated with Ellis Rouse, the issuer of tokens catalogued as OH-165FB.
Hill also served in the Black Brigade of Cincinnati which worked on defensive fortifications for the city in September, 1 862 only months after mobs of white men terrorized the black population in Cincinnati resulting in the loss of life and destruc- tion of property. He was later listed in a draft registration list.
Draft Registration List for Cincinnati. June, 1863:
Hill, William, 20, colored, barber, b. North Carolina
William Hill died in nearby Butler county May 21, 1880 from tuberculosis.
Based on the forgoing, the store card committee chose to list the Hill, barber tokens as OH-165BWa.
Citations:
Fuld, George and Melvin, U.S. Civil War Store Cards, Second Edition, Quarterman Publications, Lawrence, Massachusetts, 1975.
Ostendorf, John, Civil War Cards of Cincinnati, Lulu Press, 2007.
Civil War Tokens of Cincinnati, John Ostendorf
Federal census for Ripley County, Ohio 1 860 and Butler County, Ohio 1 870.
U.S. Civil War Draft Registration Records, 1863-1865.
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Civil War Token Journal
African American Issuers of Civil War Store Cards
by John Ostendorf
A truly fascinating area of numismatics. is a study of early African-American token issuers. At a time when African Americans did not have equal rights, were generally mistreated in the North and enslaved in the South, there were a few pioneering black men who issued store cards in the 1860s.
The very first tokens issued in the United States by African-Americans were Civil War tokens. It is arguable as to who the first issuer was, but as I will demonstrate in this article, it was most likely either Charles E. Clark of Cincinnati or McKay & Lapsley of Nashville in 1863.
From the antebellum period until the late 19th century, barbering was primarily a black profession. .Also called, "color line barbers", these barbers served only white men and did not allow fellow blacks to patronize their shops for fear of losing their white customers. Barbering was dominated by black men due to an aversion by whites to a trade involving personal service and an attitude by whites that a profession of servitude was appropriate for black men. In fact, every Civil War store card issued by a barber was issued by an African-American.
Barbering was a profession that allowed black men to reach economic levels un- achievable in the other limited professions they were allowed to work in. As will be seen in this article, many black barbers became leading citizens in at least the African-American portions of their communities. It is an interesting paradox when considering these barbers had to enforce racial segregation of their own businesses in order to achieve their success.
Many black barbers were actually mulattos, men who had a white father, but were treated as blacks. These men may have had an advantage in that their white fathers freed them and gave them financial assistance in starting their business. The racial classification was not consistent in its usage, so often a person is listed as 'mulatto' in one record and as 'black' or even 'colored' in another record.
It can be safely said that very few 19th century store cards were issued by African-Americans. The following eight merchants, four from Cincinnati and four from Nashville, represent the earliest store cards issued in the United States by African-Americans.
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Cincinnati issuers:
Cincinnati, on the northern banks of the Ohio River and directly across the Ohio River from Covington and Newport, Kentucky was a city with many southern sympathizers. In fact, many citizens of northern Kentucky worked in Cincinnati and either travelled across the bridge or took a ferry in to work. Slavery never ex- isted in Ohio, but it existed in Kentucky until ratification of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution on December, 18, 1865.
There was a general hostility toward blacks in Cincinnati and mobs of white men were known to terrorize the black community in the 1860s. After Confederate raids and Union losses in Kentucky in 1862, Cincinnati prepared fortifications to defend against a Confederate attack. Among those helping in the defense of the city was the Black Brigade of Cincinnati of which two Civil War token issuing barbers were members.
OH-165Y C.E. Clark, Cincinnati, Ohio
Charles E. Clark, operated the Lightning Hair Dyeing Room in the Burnet House, a major hotel in Cincinnati at the corner of 3rd and Vine. He is listed as a barber at this address in the 1860-66 city directories. Cincinnati draft registration records show Clark as a 29 year old 'colored' barber in June, 1863.
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Civil War Token Journal
Clark's tokens include several that probably circulated during the Civil War. Struck by the Stanton shop, the 1 863 dated -2a and -4a varieties appear to have been struck for circulation. Off-metal varieties of both -2 and -4 were also likely struck during the Civil War for sale in the Great Western Sanitary Fair in Cincinnati held from December, 1863 to April ,1864 and were not intended for circulation. Although dated 1863, the 1069 die was in use after the Civil War to produce collector strikes, as was the 1864 dated 1047 die.
The -2a and -4a varieties were probably struck in 1 863 and may be the earliest tokens struck by an African-American in the United States.
OH-165BWa Hill, Cincinnati, Ohio
William Hill was associated with Ellis Rouse. They were both listed at the same business address in the 1862 city directory and census records show a probable familial relationship. William Hill also served in the Black Brigade that built defenses against Confederate attack in Septem- ber, 1862 along with Henry Porter (OH-165EO).
Hill's tokens were struck by William Lanphear's shop and represent the only African American tokens struck by Lanphear. Hill was last listed as a barber in the 1864 city directory and Lanphear's business closed c.1867. The varieties currently listed as -7a and -8a,'One Shave' and 'One Haircut', respectively, make sense for a barber. The -9a variety, with a $5.00 denomination, and the -10a variety muling were proba- bly collector's strikes. The Hill tokens will be catalogued as OH-165BWa-l through 4 in the 3rd edition of the store card book.
OH-165EO Henry Porter, Cincinnati, Ohio
Henry Porter was listed as a barber in the 1 863, 64, 66, and 67 city directories. He was first listed at the 95 Fifth Street address on the token in the 1 866 directory. Porter served in the Black Brigade of Cincinnati along with William Hill (OH-165BWa).
Porter's tokens were struck by the Stanton shop, probably once the business had been purchased by Murdock & Spencer. It is possible that the Porter tokens were struck after the Civil War.
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OH-165FB Ellis Rouse, Cincinnati, Ohio
Ellis Rouse was associated with William Hill. Both men were listed at the same business address in the 1 862 city directory and Hill lived in Rouse's household in 1860 per the census records. Rouse was also listed in the 1864 directory in partnership with William Brown and in the 1865 and 1866 directories as a sole proprietor.
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Rouse's tokens were struck by the Stanton shop, probably once the business had been purchased by Murdock & Spencer. Rouse's tokens may have been struck after the Civil War.
Nashville issuers:
An important shipping port on the Cumberland River, Nashville was the first con- federate capitol to fall when it fell to Union troops in February, 1862. Many escaped slaves, freed blacks, and other citizens migrated to Nashville due to its relative safe- ty under the occupation of federal troops and made Nashville a thriving city during the Civil War. Black citizens helped in the fortification of the city in late 1862 and again in 1 864 prior to the Battle of Nashville which was easily won by Union troops.
Despite the occupation of federal troops, slavery was not eliminated by their oc- cupation nor the Emancipation Proclamation that affected only areas under rebel control. Slavery did not officially end in Nashville until early 1865, although its practice was minimal by this time.
TN-690B Harris & Pearl, Nashville, Tennessee
Dick Harris & Henry Pearl were listed as the proprietors of the Tonsorial Saloon at 21 N. Market Street in the May 20, 1 863 edition of The Nashville Daily Union. Curiously, the partnership is listed as Pearl & Harris, not Harris & Pearl as on TN-690B.
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Civil War Token Journal
14
I could not find Harris or Pearl in the 1860 census. They were listed in partnership as Harris & Pearl, barbers, 21 N. Market in the 1865-66 Nashville city directories (there were no directories issued in 1861-1864). The partnership appears to have dissolved after 1866. The 1867 directory lists the partnership of Pearl & Merrill, barbers, 32 N. Market St.
The 1870 census for Nashville, Davidsion County, Tennessee has the following: Harris, Dick, 60, male, black, whitewasher, born in Tennessee " , Sarah, 30, female, black, born in Virginia
Pearl, Dilcey, 59, female, black, born in Tennessee
“ , Henry, 28, male, mulatto, porter in bank, born in Tennessee “ , Margaretta, 38, female, mulatto, bom in Tennessee
The Harris & Pearl tokens were struck by the Stanton shop, quite likely after it was purchased by Murdock & Spencer. All are very rare and several were clearly collector strikes. It is unclear whether any were actually struck during the Civil War.
TN-690C D.L. Lapsley & Co.
SeeTN-690D. It is unclear when this firm operated. Daniel L. Lapsley was in business with Alfred McKay from 1863- 1870. All of the stock dies used as reverses for TN-690C to- kens are known to have post-war usages and were probably struck by Murdock & Spencer. All are very rare and several were clearly collector strikes. It is quite likely that the TN- 690C tokens were issued after the Civil War.
TN-690D McKay & Lapsley, Nashville, Tennessee
Alfred McKay & Daniel Lapsley appear to have opened their business in 1863.
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The partnership is listed in the 1865-1870 city directories. Daniel Lapsley was later a justice of the peace, teacher, and lawyer. He was heavily involved in Republican politics and is mentioned frequently in contemporary newspapers.
As with the other black barber tokens, many varieties were possibly issued post Civil War or were collector strikes; however, two varieties bear special mention. The - la variety used the 1042 die dated 1863. This die is well known to have been struck by the Stanton shop in a 'triad' of copper, brass, and tin plate as collector strikes for sale in the Great Western Sanitary Fair in Cincinnati in December, 1863 to April, 1864. However, this token is known only in copper and the 1042 die was also used for circulation strikes. The - la variety was almost certainly struck in 1863.
The currently unlisted -12a die used the stock die of a Stanton backstamp. This is important because all Stanton backstamps that can be dated were struck in 1863. Also, Stanton sold his business to Murdock and Spencer in the fall of 1864. Unlike the - la variety utilizing the 1042 die, the Stanton backstamp was never used for col- lector strikes. It was a purely utilitarian die. Thus, we can say with near certainty that the -12a variety was struck in 1863.
The -la and -12a varieties are possibilities as the first token struck by an African-American in the United States.
TN-690E Walker & Napier Nashville, Tennessee
Nelson Walker and Elias W. Napier were listed in part- nership as barbers in the 1865 through at least the 1870 Nashville city directories (there were no directories issued 1861-1864). They were listed at 28 North College in 1865 and 1866, and then at various other locations in later years. An advertisement in the July 2, 1865 Nashville Daily Union mentions the partnership: ^ ^ ^ ^
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Civil War Token Journal
16
Note that the advertisement was purchased to run one month from July 2, 1865 and indicates that Walker & Napier had only recently opened their business. They were not listed in the 1865 city directory and were listed only in the 1866 directory. It is highly likely that the Walker & Napier tokens were struck after the Civil War by Murdock & Spencer.
Neither man could be found in the 1860 census. The 1870 census for Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee lists the following:
Walker, Nelson, 45 male, mulatto, barber, born in Virginia " , Elija, 43, female, mulatto, dress maker, born in Tennessee
" , Salina, 18, female, mulatto, dress maker, born in Tennessee
" , Virginia, 14, female, black, born in Tennessee
" , Sallie, 12, female, mulatto, bom in Tennessee
" , William, 10, male, mulatto, bom in Tennessee
" , John, 8, male, mulatto, bom in Tennessee
" , Robert, 3, male, mulatto, bom in Tennessee
Walker, James, 21, male, mulatto, barber, bom in Tennessee
Napier, W.C., 46, mulatto, teamster, bom in Alabama " , Jane E., 46, female, mulatto, born in Tennesee
" , Elias W., 21, mulatto, barber, bom in Ohio
" , Alonzo, 29, mulatto, born in Tennessee
" . Ida M., 12, mulatto, born in Tennessee
While many of these tokens may have been struck in the late 1860s, it does not take away from the importance of these tokens. They all represent very early Afri- can-American tokens. Consider the following announcement that appeared in the March 18, 1865 edition of the Nashville Daily Union. This announcement mentions a grand celebration marking the end of slavery in Tennessee due to the ratification of Tennessee's new constitution. Note that the 3rd order of procession was by the Barbers' Association. Also note that W.C. Napier (father of Elias Napier) was one of the Vice Presidents. Nelson Walker was listed as a speaker and serving on the Committee of Arrangements were Richard Harris and D.L. Lapsley.
It is amazing to think that the Tennessee tokens mentioned above were all issued by black men within only a few years of the abolition of slavery in Tennessee. Several varieties were issued by black men while slavery still existed and only six years after the dreadful Dred Scott decision in which the Supreme Court basically held that African-Americans were not citizens.
The earliest black barber tokens were issued at a time in which blacks were enslaved in many parts of the country and all black barber tokens were issued at a