PCGS MS62 1863 New York Civil War Token, Gustavus Lindenmueller, NY630AQ-3a

UNITED STATES: AE token, 1863, Fuld-630AQ-3a, TC-18856, 25mm bronze Civil War storecard token for Gustavus Lindenmueller, bust of Lindenmueller left with "1863" below and 13 stars around, including die cracks and small cud // beer stein within laurel wreath (with 26 berries) with GUSTAVUS LINDENMUELLER - NEW_YORK around, larger diameter than most CWTs, plain edge, PCGS graded MS62 BN. During the Civil War (1861 to 1865) the public hoarded coins, and merchants were forced to make do with tokens, postage stamps, and script. Dr. Hetrich writes "These little coins filled the wants of the trades-people, and were accepted as a means of exchange for the value, which usually was one cent. They undoubtedly were a source of great relief and convenience; but their irresponsible character soon attracted the attention of the Federal Authorities. It is said that the Third Avenue Railroad of New York requested Lindenmueller to redeem a large number of his tokens, which they had accepted in the course of business, but this he laughingly refused to do. The railroad had no redress, and it is not improbable that incidents of this character forced the Government to put a stop to their issue. This was done by the passage of an Act of Congress in 1864, forbidding private individuals to issue any form of money."