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Coin and Paper Money Collecting/1863 candle and soap manufacturer coin

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Expert: - 12/14/2010


Question
I received this coin in my tip jar, I assume someone thought it was a penny.  This coin has what I believe to be an eagle on the front with the date 1863 on the bottom.  On the back of this coin it says j. scheidhauer manufacturer of soap & candles Milwaukee Wis.  I can't find anything about this coin anywhere.  Any ideas?

Answer
Hi Michele:

Thanks for your question.

Yes! I know what you have. It is a Civil War Token. These were issued during the Civil War to help relieve the coin shortage that resulted from gold, silver, and then copper being hoarded during the war. Coins virtually disappeared from normal circulation, and merchants were left to trying to come up with alternatives when making change on day to day transactions. There were two types of tokens, Merchant and Patriotic. There are thousands of different tokens and die combinations. Your token is likely worth between $15 and $30 to an interested collector.  The value depends on town, merchant, die combination, and condition of the token. Here is a site with a token similar to yours listed. See: http://www.shigitatsu.com/CWT/wisconsin_civil_war_store_cards.htm

For more Civil War Token History, See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_War_token

You may want to check US coins and currency listings under exonumia on eBay from time to time to see if your piece is listed what this type of item may bring.

If you live close to a local shop, they should offer an opinion as to the value at no charge. Always try and get at least two opinions and try and deal with PNG dealers if possible. If you should decide to sell your items to a dealer, remember they will offer about 50% to 60% of the retail value. Here's a link to find one in your area: http://www.pngdealers.com/dealersearch.php

Please remember to go to the experts site to rate this answer. Check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.

Coin and Paper Money Collecting

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Ronald Fern

Expertise

I can answer most all questions relating to US coins, tokens, and currency. I'm not strong on world coins or ancients. Primary field of expertise is errors and varieties. Over 55 years experience in coin collecting. Part time dealer since 1976. Employed by McDonnell Douglas/Boeing for over 34 years as an Industrial Engineer/Technical Specialist before retiring in 2002.

Experience

Worked weekends for "Lonesome" John in the late 1960's to mid 1970's processing error coins, packaging, and preparing orders. Worked with John Devine and Fred Weinberg on several California Error A Rama's in the early 1970's. Served as display judge at annual Error-A-Rama coin shows. Opened and operated mail order coin business DBA "CAL ERRORS" in 1976. Contributer to Alan Herbert's "Official Price Guide To Mint Errors" and Fivaz/Stanton "Cherrypickers' Guide". Worked Saturdays at Huntington Beach Coin Exchange 1980-1999. Had table and sold coins at a number of coin and gun shows in So CA, AZ and NV. Sell coins, tokens and currency currently at my space in the Pomona Antique Center. Past "Errorscope" Editor. Presently CONECA Examiner.

Organizations
ANA, CONECA, CWTS, NLG

Publications
Errorscope, Numismatic News, Civil War Token Journal, Error and Variety News

Education/Credentials
AA Degree LBCC pre Engineering, 1964 BS Degree CSULB Ind Technology, 1968

Awards and Honors
1st Place EAR Trophy for Civil War Token Errors, NLG Author of Year Award for best monthly coin column "Error News and Views" in small Numismatic paper, owned and published by Ray Anthony.

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