(1861-65) Brass Civil War Store Card F-165EY-1b, F.H. Rollins OH

Coin Details

Description

F.H. Rollins of Ohio issued this token as emergency currency during the Civil War. Ohio produced more varieties of Civil War store cards than any other state, driven by Cincinnati's role as the largest inland city and a Union Army supply hub. This brass striking (Fuld 165EY-1b) is common to somewhat scarce among the known varieties. Die sinkers offered merchants a choice of metals, with copper being cheapest and most common, while silver and gold were struck for collectors. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. Brass planchets were readily available to die sinkers, making this a relatively accessible metal variant for collectors. Civil War store cards are collected both as numismatic items and as historical documents of wartime American commerce.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 1 cataloged varieties, F.H. Rollins was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 165EY-1b