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Some months ago, we took a look at merchant tokens issued by Kentucky businesses during the Civil War. (See “Kentucky Brass—Private Money in the Civil War,” July 29, 2021.) These tokens, usually made of bronze and the size of a cent, were manufactured privately, not by the government. Although not legal tender, they circulated as small change during the war, when everyone was hoarding any hard cash they could get their hands on—gold and silver for sure, but also coins as lowly as the “penny.”
I recently spoke with Steve Hayden of Charleston, South Carolina, one of the preeminent dealers in Civil War tokens, to see how the market is doing for these little pieces of history. “As with all collectible coins,” he says, “Civil War token prices, in general, have been very strong for the last couple of years.”
Here’s an illustrated roundup of some nice tokens Steve has auctioned recently on eBay.
To learn more about Civil War tokens, visit the Civil War Token Society online.
John W. Lee Baker & Confectioner, Lexington, Kentucky. Fuld KY480B-3a. Bowers KY-480-B. Rarity-8. Graded MS-64 RB (NGC). Doing business from 10 Main Street in Lexington, John W. Lee tempted customers with this token good for one half pint of milk. Steve Hayden notes that this particular piece was the Fuld plate specimen (the token used to illustrate Fuld’s classic book on Civil War tokens.) It sold for $838 on March 21, 2022. (Image courtesy of Steve Hayden.)
Butcher’s Dry Goods Store, Newport, Kentucky. Fuld KY640A-3a. Rarity-7. Graded MS-64 RB (NGC). This was another plate specimen from the Fuld standard reference. It features a portrait reminiscent of the Indian Head cent. The token sold for $686 on April 3, 2022. (Image courtesy of Steve Hayden.)
Arbeiter Halle, Pike Street, Covington, Kentucky. Fuld KY150A-3a1. Rarity-7. Graded MS-64 RB (NGC). “One of just a handful of merchants issuing Civil War tokens from this scarce state,” Steve Hayden noted in his lot description. The token attracted 16 bids at auction and sold for $615.55 on March 6, 2022. (Image courtesy of Steve Hayden.)
Arbeiter Halle, Pike Street, Covington, Kentucky. Fuld KY150A-1a. Rarity-6. Graded Very Fine. In his Guide Book of Civil War Tokens, Q. David Bowers noted, “‘Arbeiter Halle’ is German for ‘Workers’ Hall,’ no doubt a social gathering place where beer flowed profusely.” Bidding for this token was no less spirited than for the similar token pictured above, even though this one shows its age more. 19 bids were cast before time ran out and the token sold for $170.50 on January 30, 2022. (Image courtesy of Steve Hayden.)
Newport & Covington Bridge Company, Kentucky. Fuld KY640B-2a. Rarity-8. Graded MS-63 RB (NGC). This token was issued by a toll-bridge company with its office at the east end of the bridge that connected the cities of Covington and Newport. It sold for $565.55 on March 14, 2022. (Image courtesy of Steve Hayden.)
Dennis Tucker is the publisher of Whitman Publishing, a leading producer of books, storage and display supplies, and other resources for collectors and hobbyists. He was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel in March 2021 for his career in book publishing and his promotion of the Commonwealth’s status as an important subject in numismatics. His column “From the Colonel’s Desk” explores the Bluegrass State’s rich connections to American coins, tokens, medals, paper money, private currency, and related artifacts. To read more, visit the “From the Colonel’s Desk” archives.
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