Copper, approximately 19mm in diameter

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.