(1861-65) Civil War Store Card F-935A-4a, Owens & Taylor OH

Coin Details

Description

Owens & Taylor, based in Wilmington, Ohio, produced this token as a cent substitute during the wartime coin shortage. The breadth of Ohio's Civil War token production reflects the state's diverse economy, from Cincinnati's river trade to Cleveland's Lake Erie shipping to interior manufacturing towns. Owens & Taylor issued 5 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 935A-4a) is common. Die sinkers offered merchants a choice of metals, with copper being cheapest and most common, while silver and gold were struck for collectors. The token era ended when Congress authorized new federal small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production in 1864. Over 25 million Civil War tokens were produced before Congress ended private coinage in April 1864, making them the largest private coinage movement in American history.

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, Owens & Taylor was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 935A-4a