(1861-65) Copper Civil War Store Card F-165BB-1a, L. Geilfus OH

Coin Details

Auction Record

$192 MS64BN 10-14-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War-era store card from L. Geilfus of Ohio. 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. With 2 known varieties, L. Geilfus produced a modest number of token types. This copper striking (Fuld 165BB-1a) is common among the known varieties. The dies for merchant tokens were usually cut by professional engravers who could produce a complete set in a matter of days. Private tokens entered circulation after the suspension of specie payments in late 1861 drained small change from commerce. Token production during the Civil War represented the largest private coinage movement in American history, with an estimated 25 million pieces struck between 1862 and 1864. Civil War store cards are collected both as numismatic items and as historical documents of wartime American commerce.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 2 cataloged varieties, L. Geilfus was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 165BB-1a