Rare Clarksburg, Ohio, Token
by Michael Kolman Jr.
From The Penny, August, 1963
Did you know that all Civil war Tokens were ordinarily dated 1861 to 1865? However, a store card issued by James & French was erroneously dated 1873, the die sinker inadvertently picked up and used the numeral 7 punch instead of the intended 6 punch. The token is rare and probably one of the rarest of tokens, the writer has seen or heard of only 5 or 6 pieces. The obverse has an Indian head within 6 pointed stars, the mis-struck date below. The reverse on five lines has James and French-Have-It. Clarksburg Ohio.
The story of James and French is quite interesting. Mr. James H. James and Charles H. French were partners and owned a small grocery store from 1863 to 1865, which was located on the east side of Main St. Clarksburg at this period was considered a thriving village which numbered approximately 300 people. Both partners led mysterious nomadic lives, traveling most of the time. They were showmen, and each attained considerable proficiency as gesturers, legerdemainists and prestidigitators. Each owned a show after dissolving partnership. French died . . . on a showboat on the Ohio River. James died about 1910.
Both were married twice, their likes and dislikes were similar. Neither attained much wealth, and although of a peculiar nomadic turn, these two characters made the world a little better for their living in it and numismatic collectors are pleased to have so rare a store card as this Clarksburg, Ohio token.
Three Clarsburg, Ohio, merchants issued copper cent-size tokens during the Civil War.
All tokens used the same obverse die, which shows an Indian and is dated 1873.
FRENCH
Reverse: GROCERIES & NOTIONS/SOLD BY/ ONE/ FRENCH/ CLARKSBURG, O
| Catalog Number: 170A-1a | Rarity: 75 to 200 known |
| Current value: $65 - $100 circulated; $175 uncirculated | |
JAMES AND FRENCH
Reverse: JAMES & FRENCH/ HAVE/ IT/ CLARKSBURG/ OHIO
| Catalog Number: 170B-1a | Rarity: 20 to 75 known |
| Current value: $60 - $90 circulated; $150 uncirculated | |
MAUCH & BRADBURY
Reverse: GOOD FOR/ ONE /CENT/ AT / MAUCH & BRADBURY
| Catalog Number: 170C-1a | Rarity: 2 to 5 known |
| Current value: $150 - $250 circulated; $450 | |
Sources: The Civil War Token Collectors Guide by Bryon Kanzinger, Valley Forge Coins - Books Division, Valley Forge, Pa. 2001
Standard Catalog of United States Tokens 1700-1900 by Russell Rulau, Krause Publications, Iola, Wisc., 1997
Clarsburg tokens rarely appear for sale.
Coin dealer ( Steve Hayden ), who specializes in tokens, is currently offering a circulated James & French token - OH170B-1a - with a short scratch for $65.00