(1860-65) Copper Civil War Store Card F-510A-1a, E. Aschermann & Co. WI

Coin Details

Description

Civil War store card issued by E. Aschermann & Co. of Wisconsin. Wisconsin was a growing frontier state with Milwaukee as its largest commercial center, and its merchants issued tokens as practical solutions to the coin shortage. E. Aschermann & Co. issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 510A-1a) is common. Merchants typically ordered tokens from die-sinkers who maintained inventories of patriotic and advertising dies for rapid production. Store cards circulated as emergency currency after wartime hoarding removed federal coins from commercial channels. After Congress banned private coinage in 1864, the U.S. Mint dramatically increased production of small-denomination coins, and the new bronze two-cent piece helped alleviate the shortage. Civil War store cards are collected both as numismatic items and as historical documents of wartime American commerce.

Rarity Notes

Copper strikings are generally the most common metal variant for Civil War store cards, as copper was the standard planchet material mimicking the federal cent. With 5 cataloged varieties, E. Aschermann & Co. was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 510A-1a