1863 Philip Best Lager beer, Empire Brewing Milwaukee, token

[can_slaw]

I am hunting the site of a former brothel, "The Spit and Whistle". I've been looking specifically for items related to that time in the propertys history, so I was really surprised when this popped up. I really love tokens, and this civil war era token really made my week. The reading I have done says these were sometimes handed out as change. Does anyone know for what reason? I read the 1863 date is actually the time frame these were "minted".



Also found a .54 cal round ball


Not pictured is the 1/2 of a 5 gallon bucket of the typical "bar trash" one expects to find at a site like this.
Thank you for looking, and happy hunting!!

 

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[Mackaydon]

1863_EXO_11573 - USA - Civil War Token - PHILIP BEST LAGER BEER - 1863 XF - EMPIRE BREWERY MILWAUKEE - Plain Edge R2
AND
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces131288.html
Don.....

 

[can_slaw]

Thanks Don, these sites are what Google found for me initially. Any idea why they were made? I could not seem to find this info anywhere.

 

[Mackaydon]

It's a Civil War storecard token, issued by merchants to make
change when "real" money was removed from circulation due
to hoarding during the Civil War.
Obverse: Philip Best, (mug of beer), 1863, Lagerbeer
Reverse: Empire Brewery (beer keg with brewers tools
of the trade, "Marr" beneath), Milwaukee
There are five varieties of this token listed in "U. S. Civil
War Storecards" by George and Melvin Fuld:
WI 510C-1a: copper, plain edge. Rarity 2
WI 510C-1a1 copper, reeded edge. Rarity 8.
WI 510C-1b bronze, plain edge. Rarity 8.
WI 510C-1d copper-nickel, plain edge. Rarity 9
WI 510C-1do struck over copper-nickel cent, plain edge. Rarity 9

The Empire Brewing Company(Philip Best) of Milwaukee became the Pabst Brewing Co. in 1889
Don.......

 

[can_slaw]

Thanks Don for all of the help. I could not find this anywhere, and since it did not have the usual "5 cents in trade" on it, I hoped it was a little more special. I am very appreciative of the help!

 

[can_slaw]

WI 510C-1a is the variety this one appears to be. And while it's the least rare of the varieties, Numista lists these as a rarity 97. Not sure how it wound up where it did, but I am over the moon excited to have it.

 

[can_slaw]

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