(1861-65) Copper Civil War Store Card F-165BR-2a, E. Heinzmann OH

Coin Details

Auction Record

$169 AU58BN 03-05-2023 eBay

Description

Civil War store card issued by E. Heinzmann of Ohio. 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. With 2 known varieties, E. Heinzmann produced a modest number of token types. The copper composition of this variety (Fuld 165BR-2a) is common for this merchant. 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. Many Civil War tokens were produced in quantities far exceeding actual commercial need, as die sinkers and merchants recognized the speculative collecting interest that was already developing. Token production peaked in 1863 when the coin shortage was most acute, with die sinkers working around the clock to fill merchant orders.

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, E. Heinzmann was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 165BR-2a