(1861-65) Copper Civil War Store Card F-165GI-1a, Weighell & Son's OH

Coin Details

Description

This Civil War token was issued by Weighell & Son's in 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. Weighell & Son's issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper striking (Fuld 165GI-1a) is common among the known varieties. Professional die sinkers like John Stanton, Benjamin True, and William Bridgens supplied dies to merchants across the Northern states. Federal coinage vanished from circulation after 1861 as citizens hoarded silver and copper for their metal value, leaving merchants to fill the void with tokens. George and Melvin Fuld's catalog remains the standard reference for Civil War tokens, with each variety assigned a unique identification number.

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 6 cataloged varieties, Weighell & Son's was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 165GI-1a