(1861-65) Copper Civil War Store Card F-165FXa-12a, Steamer Lancaster OH

Coin Details

Description

Fuld 165FXa-12a — store card of Steamer Lancaster, 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. Steamer Lancaster issued 9 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in copper, this die combination (Fuld 165FXa-12a) is common. The token trade was competitive, with die sinkers in New York, Cincinnati, and other cities vying for merchant orders across the region. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. Merchants who issued tokens during the Civil War provided a critical public service by maintaining the ability to make change for routine purchases at a time when federal coinage had nearly vanished from everyday commerce. Civil War store cards are collected both as numismatic items and as historical documents of wartime American commerce.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 9 cataloged varieties, Steamer Lancaster was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 165FXa-12a