Collection Highlights
The Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands
Date:
Object Number:
LIB.QH41.C26.1974
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Civil War token: Robinson and Ballou Grocers, Troy, NY 1863
Object Number:
1941.66
Date:
1863
Medium:
Brass
Dimensions:
Overall: 3/4 in. ( 1.9 cm )
Description:
Token; brass; obverse "ROBINSON & BALLOU / GROCERS / TROY N.Y." reverse "REDEEMED / AT / OUR STORE / 1863"
Gallery Label:
During the Civil War, there were no metallic coins of any denomination in circulation. Tradesmen were thus forced to issue a medium that would save commerce. Many of these tokens depicted patriotic subjects. The irresponsible nature of these tokens forced Congress to pass an act in 1864, forbidding private individuals to issue any form of money.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
