(1861-65) Copper Civil War Store Card F-165DI-2a, R.T. Markham OH

Coin Details

Description

Civil War merchant token bearing the name of R.T. Markham in Ohio. Ohio's extensive commercial networks across dozens of cities generated an unparalleled body of merchant token issues during the 1862-1864 coin shortage. With 2 known varieties, R.T. Markham produced a modest number of token types. This copper striking (Fuld 165DI-2a) is common among the known varieties. The token trade was competitive, with die sinkers in New York, Cincinnati, and other cities vying for merchant orders across the region. The Civil War small change crisis generated the largest private coinage movement in American history, with merchants and die sinkers producing tokens for circulation. Surviving specimens are tangible artifacts of the wartime monetary crisis that affected every commercial transaction in the Northern states.

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, R.T. Markham was a limited producer of Civil War tokens.

Cross References

Fuld 165DI-2a