Expert: Dan Moore - 12/7/2010

Question

I am not a coin collector, but came across a Civil War Merchant Token coin from my small town in IN and did not know such tokens existed.  I am interested in purchasing the token and I am going to try and find out about the merchant from our local Historic Museum.  I now know how and why the tokens were used.  However, before I purchase I would like to understand what the flud number represents: Fuld #230B-1a. I have searched the internet for a definition but could not find a definitation.  If you could explain the Flud number I would greatly appreciated it.  Thanks.  

Answer
Hi Glenn,

Each part of that number has a meaning :

The 230 is for the town -- Danville

The B is for the merchant within that town -- Craddick & Homan

The 1 is for the first particular set of dies that merchant used

And the a means that the token is made from copper.



There are also two other merchants that made CWTs in Danville :

R. K. Carter (Dry Goods)

S. A. Russell (Merchant)

I may be able to get ahold of these tokens for you if interested -- contact me at working.man@usa.net if you are.

I hope this helps,

Dan